SEMA_________________________________ SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
FOOD SECURITY CHECKLISTThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is making available an “Industry Self-Assessment Checklist for Food Security”. The Agency created this self-assessment instrument to provide a tool for establishments to assess the extent to which they have employed appropriate security measures in their operations. The guidelines identify security measures that establishments can adopt to enhance the security of their operations. It is not mandatory for an establishment to complete the checklist. The checklist is available on the FSIS web site at: www.fsis.usda.gov/food_security_and_emergency_preparedness/security_guidelines/index.asp. NEW AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MIKE JOHANNSMike Johanns has become the 28th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), replacing Ann Veneman. Born in Iowa and raised on a dairy farm, Johanns became a lawyer and served in county and city government before becoming mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska in 1991. He won the governor’s office in 1998 and 2002. During his six years as Governor, Johanns was a strong advocate for rural communities, farmers and ranchers. Johanns says he supports the Bush administration’s desire to repeal mandatory Country-of-Origin labeling but will follow the law. HEALTH GUIDELINESThe 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released in January. The joint projects of the Department of Health and Human Services and Agriculture review the guidelines every five years. The guideline is science-based advice to promote health and reduce risk of chronic disease through nutrition and physical activity. The guideline emphasis is on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. Before Ann Veneman left office she introduced a new nutrition web site. The web site links to information on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. You may visit the web site at www.nutrition.gov . CANADA BEEF BANNED?The Canadian borders were to reopen March 7, but new trade ban legislation has been introduced to put a total ban on imports of Canadian beef and cattle until the U.S. starts mandatory country-of-origin label on beef. Currently, Canadian boxed beef is allowed into the country. Canada has had three cases of BSE since May 2003. Noah Pinegar, a spokesman for South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson, said the bill is being introduced more for consumer confidence that food safety measures are in place than a food safety measure. The country-of-origin labeling is set to go in effect in September 2006. 40 HOUR MAY NOT BE FULL TIMEThe federal overtime rules mandate time-and-a-half pay for hourly employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek. To a business, that may not mean full time. Businesses use the term full time and part time to specify the level of benefits employees receive as the number of hours they work. One company may have 30 hours as full time, while another requires 40. A FEW 2005 TAX CHANGESJanuary 1st new tax provisions went into effect.
NAMP MEAT BUYERS GUIDEThe NAMP meat buyers guide and poultry guide can now be purchased through the SEMA office. If you are interested, please call the SEMA office at 407.365.5661 or e-mail info@southeasternmeat.com. BUSINESS CHECK-UPWe all have annual check-ups each year, and your business should undergo a check-up as well. How else do you know what works and what doesn’t? Here are 10 steps to success in 2005:
Happy customers mean a healthy bottom line. Costco Connection Magazine
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| Basic Meat & Poultry HACCP Workshop | UGA Campus in Athens, GA | Feb 1-2 & April 5-6 |
| SEMA Convention | The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, FL | June 10-12 |
| North Carolina Meat Processors Convention | Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC | July 14-17 |
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THINGS TO PONDER………………
Why do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway
and put our useless junk in the garage?
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Proprietary Foods, Inc. in Texas is looking for a processor to fully cook bulk chicken products and smoke chicken parts. Approx. starting volume of 200,000# per month. Contact Tom McWilliams at 770.993.2590 or e-mail profoods120@yahoo.com.
South Alabama Food Co-op, in Mobile, AL is looking for a processor to make private label products, supplies 1,500 families. Contact Linda Roland at 251.476.7808
Jonim Co., in Marietta, GA is looking for a supply of Danish Ribs, currently using 25 boxes a week. Contact Joseph Heggs at 770.891.2520 or e-mail mccantese@bellsouth.net.
Kelly Foods in Orlando, FL is looking to purchase a 1,000# vacuum tumbler. Contact Dale Kelly at 407.654.0500 or e-mail dale_kelly@kellysfoods.com.
Register Meat Company in Cottondale, FL is looking for a good used roll-stock machine. Contact Al Kaempfer at 800.364.5790.
Dianne Hartman is seeking employment in the Florida area. Dianne has over 6 years experience in meat packaging and production. If interested the SEMA office can send you a copy of her resume or you may contact Dianne at 609.230.8890.
**Check the classifieds on the SEMA web site for potential customers,
things for sale and career opportunities (companies looking and people
seeking).
Monthly newsletters go out by e-mail unless otherwise requested. If you are not receiving your newsletters or other e-mails from SEMA, please let Anna know. She can be reached at 407.365.5661 or e-mail anna_ondick@earthlink.net.
The SEMA convention is coming up in June, if you have any suggestions for topics, please call the SEMA office 407.365.5661 or e-mail info@southeasternmeat.com.
The SEMA web site is for networking, if you have a press release or would like to put something in the classified section it is a membership benefit (no charge). Just mail or e-mail and it will be put in the next edition of the newsletter and on the website.