SEMA_________________________________

SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 620777; Oviedo, FL 32762 Phone: 407-365-5661

ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION FORMS AMENDED

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing, Notice to introduce the newly amended Form I-9, ``Employment Eligibility Verification.'' The revision reduces the number of documents employers may accept from new hired employees during the employment eligibility verification process. Employers are required to use the Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of newly hired employees. The amended Form I-9 contains an updated list of acceptable identity and employment authorization documents that reflect the current regulations. Starting December 26th it will be mandatory to use the revised I-9 form.

The following documents have been removed:

• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-570)
• Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
• Alien Registration Receipt Card, “Green Card” (Form I-151)
• The Unexpired Reentry Permit (Form I-327)
• The Unexpired Refugee Travel Document (Form I- 571)

The revised list now includes:

• A U.S. passport (unexpired or expired)
• A Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
• An unexpired foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp
• An unexpired Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766, I-688, I-688A, or I-688B)
• An unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94) for nonimmigrant aliens authorized to work for a specific employer

FSIS TO RESUME NORMAL LEVELS OF PRODUCT TESTING

November 28, 2007, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) resumed normal levels of product examinations of exported Canadian meat and poultry products, and pasteurized egg products at import houses in the United States. FSIS will resume normal levels of testing for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella in ready-to-eat products. FSIS will continue testing of raw ground beef, raw beef manufacturing trim, boxed beef, and subprimals normally sent for grinding for E. coli 0157:H7. Testing for E. coli 0157:H7 will proceed at levels to be determined after completion of an analysis of eligible imported beef products from all equivalent countries.

NICHE PORK RESOURCES

The National Pork Board has developed a niche pork resource helping processors, producers and consumers to network. The site helps to educate consumers with basic pork cuts, cooking times and temperatures, along with recipes and will even help you find a pork processor or producer in your area.

The following support material is available for Producers, Processors and Retailers:
Pork cooking times and temperatures, storing and defrosting pork FAQs , pork cuts basics, niche pork terminology poster and handout, link to recipes.

The Web site has available guidelines for producers and processors calling on retailers. For more information log onto nichepork.org.

Sales of organic meat have increased more than tenfold in the past five years, to an estimated $364 million in 2007, compared with $33 million in 2002, according to new research from Chicago-based Mintel.

EMPLOYER-PAID PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a final rule on employer-paid personal protective equipment (PPE). Under the rule, all PPE, with a few exceptions, will be provided at no cost to the employee.

Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr. said, "This final rule will clarify who is responsible for paying for PPE, which OSHA anticipates will lead to greater compliance and potential avoidance of thousands of workplace injuries each year."

The final rule contains a few exceptions that the employer does not have to pay for, safety-toed footwear, ordinary prescription safety eyewear, logging boots, and ordinary clothing and weather-related gear. The final rule also clarifies OSHA's requirements regarding payment for employee-owned PPE and replacement PPE. The rule also provides an enforcement deadline of six months from the date of publication (November 15th) to allow employers time to change their existing PPE payment policies to accommodate the final rule. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

BEEF CHECKOFF INTRODUCES HAND-HELD SNACKS

The Beef Innovation Group, a part of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, has utilized check-off dollars and responded to consumer demands for nutritious, healthy, quick, grab and serve foods. The following four new hand-held products are being marketed:

Beef Snackwich: A self-contained bun stuffed with a beef and sauce filling.
Steak and Egg Breakfast Bites: Steak, egg and cheese in a potato crumb coating.
Breakfast Pancake Flip: Beef sausage, egg and cheese in a pancake.
Standing Beef Sandwich: A hollowed-out bun, turned upright and stuffed with beef and other ingredients.

More than 100 products were tested by more than 200 consumers ages 5 to 18. Other products such as Mini Ribs and Mini Meatballs are making their way back through testing. Lonestar Bakery has agreed to further develop the Snackwich and SEMA member Brooks Food Group the Steak and Egg Breakfast Bites. The Beef Innovation Group is looking at introducing the Cheeseburger on a Stick and Mini Burgers in 2008.

REGULATORY EDUCATION SESSION

Small and very small plant owners and operators are invited to join FSIS inspection personnel at regulatory education sessions to bring industry and inspection personnel together to promote a uniform understanding of the regulations. As part of the initiative to enhance outreach to assist small and very small plants outlined in the FSIS strategic implementation plan (PDF Only), FSIS is holding a series of regulatory education sessions. For more information or to register: call 800.336.3747 or go to www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp.

Web Seminar

*New Food Safety Technologies for Small and Very Small Meat and Poultry Slaughter Plants
This seminar will provide descriptions of new technologies that small and very small plants can use to control pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella in meat and poultry slaughter operations.
January 23, 2008
*FSIS Policies on Generic Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products
FSIS representatives will discuss the requirements of generic labeling of meat and poultry products and describe the types of information that is allowed and not allowed on generic labels. February 20, 2008.

SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

SEMA members, if you have something to share or information to update, please send it to the SEMA office to have it posted at no charge. Some examples: new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc.

Chilton Consulting Group's Dr. Beckman is seriously ill with Stage 3 Lung Cancer. He is receiving chemotherapy until the end of December. Dr. Beckman would appreciate your thoughts and prays for a full recovery.

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Things to Ponder . . . . . . . . .
The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow
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WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER

ELISA Technologies, Inc
4581-L N.W. 6th Street
Gainesville, FL 32609
352.337.3929
Bruce Ritter, CEO
Test kits and testing services for foods and feeds.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Companies that invest in employee learning have higher productivity, revenue growth,
and profit growth than companies that do not.

Seasons Greetings And Happy Holidays
From the Southeastern Meat Association