9 CFR § 381.69 - Maximum line speed rates under the New Poultry Inspection System.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t9/s381.69"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "9 CFR § 381.69 - Maximum line speed rates under the New Poultry Inspection System."
title_number: 9
title_name: "Animals and Animal Products"
section_number: "381.69"
section_name: "Maximum line speed rates under the New Poultry Inspection System."
chapter_name: "FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION"
part_number: "381"
part_name: "POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "7 U.S.C. 138f, 1633; 21 U.S.C. 451-472; 7 CFR 2.7, 2.18, 2.53."
regulatory_source: "37 FR 9706, May 16, 1972, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "381"
---


# 381.69 Maximum line speed rates under the New Poultry Inspection System.

(a) The maximum line speed for young chicken slaughter establishments that operate under the New Poultry Inspection System is 140 birds per minute.

(b) The maximum line speed for turkey slaughter establishments that operate under the New Poultry Inspection System is 55 birds per minute.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, establishments that operate under the New Poultry Inspection System must reduce their line speed as directed by inspectors-in-charge. Inspectors-in-charge are authorized to direct establishments to operate at a reduced line speed when in their judgment a carcass-by-carcass inspection cannot be adequately performed within the time available due to the manner in which the birds are presented to the online carcass inspector, the health conditions of a particular flock, or factors that may indicate a loss of process control.

(d) Establishments operating under the line speed limits authorized in this section shall comply with all other applicable requirements of the laws, including, but not limited to, 29 U.S.C. 654(a).

[79 FR 49635, Aug. 21, 2014]