Division of Environmental Health Food Safety and Sanitation Program

Domesticated Rabbit Meat

Rabbit Meat Producers

The sale of domesticated rabbit meat inside the state of Alaska is not a regulated activity. Producers can sell rabbit meat without regulation if

• The meat is from a domesticated rabbit; and
• The meat is only sold in Alaska.

In Alaska, a food permit or inspection by the state is not required to sell rabbit meat. An optional permit or inspection from the state is also not available for rabbit meat sold in-state because Alaska does not have a state inspection program for rabbit meat and the Alaska Food Code does not include regulations for permitting it as a food product.

Producers should note that if meat is not from a domesticated rabbit, it is regulated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. If rabbit meat is sold outside of Alaska, it is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because it has entered interstate commerce.

Selling Options

Rabbit meat can be sold by the producer directly to the consumer. Rabbit meat can also be sold by the producer to regulated food establishments that hold a food permit, such as restaurants and markets.

Producers should note that rabbit meat cannot be sold under the Exemption for Homemade Food (AS 17.20.332) or used as an ingredient in food that is sold under the exemption. For more information about the sale of homemade food, visit Exemption for Homemade Food.

Other Possible Requirements

Selling domesticated rabbit meat inside Alaska is not regulated, however, other aspects of a producer's operation may be regulated. Examples of other possible requirements include:

• Business licensing
• City food vendor permits
• Solid waste disposal
• Zoning restrictions

Please contact the appropriate state, federal, or local agency for more information about possible requirements. A technical assistance provider such as UAF Cooperative Extension Service or the Alaska Small Business Development Center can also help producers with understanding other possible requirements for their food or farm business.

Voluntary Inspection

Producers interested in having their rabbit meat inspected can contact a local processing facility or the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to ask about voluntary inspection. Alaska does not have a state inspection program available for rabbit meat.

Requirements for Permitted Food Establishments

Food establishments that are regulated and hold a food permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation must meet the requirements of the Alaska Food Code. There are several options available for regulated food establishments that would like to sell rabbit meat or use it as an ingredient in food served at the establishment.

• Option 1: An establishment can sell or use rabbit meat that was produced under voluntary USDA inspection
• Option 2: An establishment can sell or use use rabbit meat that was produced under FDA inspection
• Option 3: An establishment can apply for a variance from requirements in the food code to be allowed to sell or use uninspected rabbit meat that was produced in Alaska

Applying for a Variance from Requirements

If a food establishment plans to sell or use uninspected rabbit meat that was produced in Alaska, the operator must first apply to the Department of Environmental Conservation for a variance from requirements in the food code. The variance must be granted before uninspected rabbit meat is sold or used in the regulated food establishment.

Food establishments must apply for a variance using the Application for a Variance or Waiver. The following information will help with completing the variance application:

• Regulation: 18 AAC 31.200 Food Condition and Source
• Description of the Requirement That Cannot Be Met: 18 AAC 31.200(b) requires that food used in a regulated food establishment must be obtained from an approved source
• Reason That the Requirement Cannot Be Met: The food code does not have an approved source for domesticated rabbit meat produced in Alaska because domesticated rabbit meat is not regulated in Alaska
• Alternative Method Proposed for Meeting the Requirement: The Alaska Food Code does not have an approved source of locally-produced rabbit meat in Alaska, so the operator of the regulated food establishment will ensure
  1. Rabbit meat is labeled with the name of the farm or producer of the rabbit meat; and
  2. The establishment only sells or uses rabbit meat that
  • Is from animals that were not sick or diseased when slaughtered;
  • Is from animals that were slaughtered in an area protected from potential contamination by insects, dirt, and filth;
  • Has not been contacted by non-potable water and only potable water has contacted the meat or carcass; and
  • Was chilled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours after slaughter.

Sales Outside of Alaska

Selling rabbit meat in interstate commerce (outside of Alaska) is under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Rabbit meat that is sold outside of Alaska must be inspected and meet federal requirements, including proper labeling. To learn more about this process, producers that plan to sell rabbit meat outside of Alaska can:

• Contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directly
• Reach out to an environmental health officer (EHO) at the Department of Environmental Conservation; the EHO can help connect the producer with the appropriate contact at the FDA

Regulatory References

• 18 AAC 31 Alaska Food Code
• 9 CFR 354 Voluntary Inspection of Rabbits and Edible Products Thereof
• 21 CFR 117 Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food

Resources and Contacts