Consumers

Agricultural Products Inspection:

• Test commercial feed, seed and fertilizer products to ensure they meet advertised quality and quantity specifications. Examine seed samples for purity, noxious weed content, germination and suitability for distribution. Analyze seed quality for individual producers for a small fee. Evaluate the nutritional content of livestock feed. Certify products for export to meet state and federal quality standards. Conduct "Good Manufacturing Processes" inspections at feed manufacturing facilities.

• Inspect NH3 pressure vessels, facilities and systems for safety. 

  Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Welder List . Review labels of feed, fertilizer, seed and soil conditioners for accuracy and truthful labeling. Promote fertilizer research through the Fertilizer Research and Education Council. Register Products and facilities. Another responsibility of this area is: Seed Variety Protection.

Food Product Label Recommendations

• In accordance with 410 ILCS 620/11.5(b), the Illinois Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Health  encourages all food manufacturers, processors, and retailers responsible for the labeling of food products to voluntarily use the following uniform terms on all food product labels to communicate quality dates and safety dates:

(1)        “BEST if Used by” or “BEST if Used or Frozen by” to indicate the quality date of a product; and

(2)        “USE by” or USE by or Freeze by” to indicate the safety date of a product.

• “Quality date" means a date on a label that communicates to consumers the date after which the food quality may begin to deteriorate but the food may still be acceptable for consumption. “Best if used by” or “Best if used or frozen by” can be used to indicate the quality date of a product. 410 ILCS 620/11.5(a)
• “Safety date" means a date on a label that communicates to consumers that the food should be consumed or frozen, if appropriate, by the date listed on the package that applies to perishable products with potential safety implications over time. “Used by” or “Use by or frozen by” can be used to indicate the safety date of the product. 410 ILCS 620/11.5(a)
• Additionally, in accordance 410 ILCS 620/11.5(d), the Illinois Department of Agriculture encourages food distributors and retailers to develop alternatives to consumer-facing “sell by” dates.

Food Safety: 

• Department inspectors ensure consumers receive wholesome, properly identified meat and poultry products by inspecting slaughter and processing facilities. Licensing of cold warehouses and meat brokers, as well as inspection of facilities that sell, serve or process eggs are conducted for proper handling, storage, accuracy in grading and labeling is also handled by this division.

Meat Inspection:

• The Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection is responsible for administration of the

  Meat and Poultry Inspection Act, which protects the consumer in relation to wholesomeness, deceptive advertising and proper labeling of meat and poultry products. Inspection coverage includes all aspects of intrastate slaughter and processing from ante mortem (before death) inspection through slaughter and processing and to the retail level.

Egg Inspection: 

• Bureau inspectors perform inspections and quality grading of eggs and egg products sold in Illinois in accordance to the

  Illinois Egg and Egg Products Act. The Act requires anyone who grades, packs, sells or barters eggs must be licensed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Weights & Measures:

• Ensuring accurate measurement and delivery of wholesale and retail commodities, monitoring the quality of motor fuel products sold within the state, and maintaining laboratories for metrology standards and grain moisture measurement are the statutory obligations of the Bureau. Device inspections and metrology calibrations are performed at nominal fees, generating revenue in financial support of the program. The Bureau licenses anyone who sells, installs, or repairs commercially used weighing or measuring devices through the Registered Service Person Program.

Fuel Quality:

• To help ensure the quality of fuels offered for sale, the Department evaluates petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene and propane. For example, inspectors may analyze gasoline's octane level, alcohol type and quantity, vapor pressure and distillation points to determine if the fuel sample meets accepted specifications. These inspections help prevent consumers from buying substandard fuels.

Grain Warehouses:

• This area of the Department of Agriculture licenses grain dealers and grain warehouses, as well as examines the books and records of each at least once annually, checking for compliance with the Illinois Grain Code. Administration of the Illinois Grain Insurance Fund, which offers protection to producers and grain depositors against financial losses in the event of a grain dealer and/or grain warehouse failure, is also a Bureau responsibility.

Agricultural Cooperatives:

• The Bureau registers agricultural cooperatives and specialty farm product buyers.

Hay & Straw Directory:

• A virtual meeting place where sellers and buyers can post and view listings of hays or straws that is for sale.

Calendar of Events:

• Agricultural related events as well as events happening at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

  
  

Farmers' Markets:

• Illinois is 3rd in the nation for the number of farmers markets. Over 8,000 farmers markets across the country offer consumers farm-fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthy products such as: fruits, vegetables, cheeses, herbs, fish, flowers, baked goods, meat and much more. Please take this opportunity to search for a community or roadside farmers market near you.

Illinois Product Events:

• Illinois Product Events are a great opportunity for Illinois producers to showcase and sell their products.
  

Illinois Products Farmers' Market:

• This farmers' market, located on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, is open Thursday evening from May to October and features locally produced Illinois products.

Community Garden:

• The community garden is a group of plots on the infield of the grandstand track of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Space is provided to grow fresh produce, herbs, or other flowers and plants, in a friendly and safe environment.

Wineries:

• Discover or rediscover your passion for American wines by visiting the many award-winning wineries throughout Illinois.

Federal Recalls and Public Health Alerts:

• Current recalls and public health alerts; recall case archives and annual summaries; how to report a problem with an FSIS-regulated product; additional recall links.