On May 29 the MA Department of Agricultural Resources issued a new FAQ on 330 CMR 35.00, the regulation implementing farm animal housing standards for pigs, calves and hens that produce pork, veal and egg products for sale in MA, and the process by which farms, processors, distributors, retail outlets, and restaurants can be compliant with these standards.

Under the question posed, "What products are considered whole pork meat, the new FAQ states that, "Whole pork meat does not include ground or comminuted pork, even if no additional ingredients are added." It also changes the reason sausage is exempt from whole pork meat products stating it is because it is a ground product as opposed to being a processed or prepared food product like a hot dog. Another question asks if comminuted pork is considered whole pork meat, whereas the answer has been changed to "No." It also asks the following new question: My company takes possession of non-compliant whole pork meat in another state, it is brought to my business in Massachusetts where it is ground and turned into ground pork, sausage, and other processed products to be sold in Massachusetts.

Is this a violation of 330 CMR 35.00? No, if your company takes possession of non-compliant product outside of Massachusetts and then processes it into items that are no longer covered by the regulations, like ground pork, sausage, and other processed products, they can be sold in Massachusetts and there would be no violation of the regulation.