LEFTOVERS FOR LIVESTOCK

TENNESSEE
Tennessee does not recommend feeding animal-derived waste to swine. 97 But Tennessee allows the feeding of animalderived
and vegetable waste to swine provided that it has been processed in accordance with federal law (that is,
heat-treated and fed by a licensed facility). Feeders must submit a plan to the commissioner detailing how garbage will
be processed. Food waste that consists of only bakery waste, whey, and dairy waste from milk processing plants may
be fed to swine without being further processed. Individuals may feed household garbage to their own swine without
processing it.
Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 44-2-401–08 (2015)
Animals covered
Definition of
“garbage”
Prohibitions
Licensure
Swine
Animal or plant waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or consumption
of foods, including animal and fowl carcasses or parts thereof, and all waste material and
byproducts of a kitchen, restaurant, hospital, hotel, motel, or slaughterhouse; except,
however, bakery waste, whey, or other dairy waste from milk processing plants shall not
be included in this definition. § 44-2-402 (2015).
No feeding unprocessed garbage to swine. Exception for individuals feeding household
garbage. § 44-2-404 (2015).
N/A
The commissioner of agriculture enforces the garbage-feeding rule. § 44-2-403 (2015).
Enforcement
The commissioner or an authorized representative may investigate any public or private
premises to determine whether the garbage-feeding rule has been violated. § 44-2-406
(2015).
A violation of the garbage-feeding rule is a Class C misdemeanor. Each illegal feeding of
garbage counts as a separate offense. § 44-2-407 (2015).
The commissioner may seek to enjoin any individual or facility that violates the garbagefeeding
rule. § 44-2-408 (2015).
Treatment requirements
Relevant state regulatory
body
Garbage must be processed in accordance with federal law, meaning that garbage
must be boiled (212 degrees Fahrenheit/100 degrees Celsius at sea level) for at least 30
minutes. 9 C.F.R. § 166 (2015).
Garbage must be processed in a manner prescribed and approved by the commissioner,
meaning that feeders must submit a written plan to the commissioner detailing
treatment of garbage in a manner prescribed under 9 C.F.R. § 166. § 44-2-404 (2015). 98
Tennessee Department of Agriculture (§ 44-2-403 (2015)),
https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/.
August 2016 Leftovers for Livestock: A Legal Guide for Using Excess Food as Animal Feed |52