Pennsylvania Statutes Title 31 P.S. Food § 483.9. Ante mortem inspection

The department shall, wherever slaughter operations are conducted at an establishment except as exempted by section 3,  1 cause ante mortem inspection of all animals and poultry to be made by inspectors where and to the extent it determines necessary. The owner or operator of any such establishment shall furnish satisfactory facilities and assistance as may be required by the secretary to facilitate such ante mortem inspection. Facilities shall also be furnished for holding animals or poultry for further clinical examination. Such animals or poultry held for reinspection shall be identified as “Pennsylvania Suspect” in a manner determined by the secretary. Following such reinspection as conducted by a licensed and approved veterinarian, and finding that the animals or poultry show no symptoms of disease or other abnormal conditions, the animals or poultry may be released for slaughter. Upon reinspection and finding symptoms of disease or other abnormal conditions which would render the animals or poultry unfit for human food, the animals or poultry shall be tagged or permanently identified as “Pennsylvania Inspected and Condemned” and unfit for human food and shall be disposed of in a manner as prescribed by the secretary. No owner or person shall be required to hold animals or poultry for a longer period than seventy-two hours.