Canadian Meat Specialists

A meat inspector’s role in meat processing facilities is actually much bigger than the important job inspecting meat. They are also responsible for ensuring the conditions in the plant contribute to keeping Canada’s meat production industry safe and healthy.

They:

Inspect facilities for sanitation and adherence to company, federal and provincial regulations regarding the manufacture, preparation and packaging of meat products.
Determine if animals are healthy and fit for slaughter
Inspect animal carcasses to determine if they are fit for consumption
Identify carcasses and portions of carcasses suspected of disease

Meat inspectors monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering and meat processing plants and inspect carcasses to ensure they are fit for consumption.

What will I be doing?

The meat inspector is a critical component to Canada’s safe and highly regarded meat packing industry. He or she carries the responsibility of ensuring the meat processing facilities are operated to the highest sanitation and food safety standards. As a meat inspector, you will be working inside various operations to ensure they adhere to the regulations and standards. Inspectors experience a wide variety of working environments depending on their specialty. You may be working in livestock auction markets and terminal yards, frozen food plants, and meat processing plants.

What training do I need?

Federal government meat inspectors undergo a three year on-the-job training program. Alberta government inspectors undergo a two year on-the-job training program.

Completion of high school is required and higher education in agriculture, biology, chemistry, food processing technology or a related discipline is considered an asset. Completion of in-house training courses is normally required.

Meat inspectors need the ability to communicate well in person and in writing and must be able to pay close attention to details. They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods for their work, analyzing information, and dealing with people.

What kind of salary and working conditions can I expect?

Depending on your level of experience, and your provincial standards, Meat Inspectors can typically earn up to $40,000 (est.) a year.

What are my career options?

Meat inspection is a career which is in demand anywhere in Canada. Training in this industry will allow you to choose your own location to work.

Who’s hiring right now?

Link to listings

Related Careers (w/links)

Food Technologist

Jennifer Diegel

Meat Inspector

Coming from a farming background, Jennifer Diegel knew she wanted to work in agriculture, but didn’t know exactly where.

“I wanted to be a vet originally,” she said, “I took Agriculture Production and Agriculture Business at Olds College. I worked at AltaGenetics for a while, but a family friend was a meat inspector and he got me interested in inspection as a career.”

Jennifer started as an inspector trainee at Cargill Foods in High River, Alberta; and soon became certified as both a federal and a provincial inspector.

“The jobs are similar; but the vocabulary is different,” she said. “Provincial inspectors look after meat which stays in the province and federal inspectors look after meat which moves between provinces or out of the country. Canada’s inspection standards are among the highest in the world.”

Jennifer is a resident provincial inspector at Pure Country Meats in Strathmore, Alberta; and recommends meat inspection as a career.

“I like the variety of working in a smaller operation. You get the see the whole proceed and there is more interaction with the staff. You get treated with respect,” she said.