SEMA_________________________________ SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
DOWNER BAN MAY BECOME PERMANENTU.S. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY) along with 74 original co-sponsors introduced the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act (HR 661). This would amend the Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act of 958 to prohibit downed animals from becoming part of the human food supply. Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) is introducing similar legislation in the U.S. Senate. Legislation proponents believe downed animals can pose serious health threats, citing a Swiss studies finding non-ambulatory cattle are more likely to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). A Harvard risk assessment found that removing high-risk tissues or SRM’s from animals over 30 months of age almost completely eliminates potential human exposure. This bill would cover sheep, swine, goats, horses and mules and call for immediate, humane euthanasia as soon as an animal becomes non-ambulatory. DRUG FREE WORKPLACEDrug free workplace programs have been put into place for a variety of reasons. The most prominent reason…insurance premium discounts. Another reason given is to prevent the hiring of all the non-tested drug users in the area. Most of the programs are put in place with the most easily accessible and non-invasive drug-testing vendor. Little thought is given to the qualification of the vendor’s personnel or screening methodology. The thought process is that marijuana, cocaine, crack and methamphetamine are the drugs of choice. According to IRMI newsletter, the workplaces most commonly abused drug, other than alcohol, is the usage of prescription painkillers. Over a two-year period, the growth of prescription painkillers increased by 11%. Currently, the non-medical use of prescription painkillers amounts to 15% more than marijuana and 240% more than cocaine. Oxycontin (oxymorphone), vicodin and other “brand names” are of particular concern. Most ‘standard' urine drug tests, as well as DOT and SAMHSA tests do not screen for oxycodone, hydrocodone or oxymorphone. This means they may not be in sync with current drug use patterns in the United States. In view of the fact that the National Highway Safety Transportation Agency cited “driver error” as the number one reason for large truck accidents and the number one associated factor-“prescription painkillers”. This is cause for particular concern. As you select your drug detection-screening vendor, make sure they test for the various prescription painkillers. The cost may be slightly higher, but the overall detection of the presence of drug abuse will provide an equitable value added. Provided by SEMA member, American Risk Management REGULATORY UPDATESalmonella Performance Testing
Chilton Consulting Group NEED SOME HELP?SEMA and some of the Universities in the Southeast are working together for the betterment of our industry. If you need some help or would like to work with them on developing a new product or process, the University of Tennessee may be able to help you. The following is a list of the staff and their expertise. Many of the faculty, have worked with meat and meat products in their individual areas. The food microbiology and safety is their greatest area of expertise.
SARA LEE CLOSING MS. OPERATIONSara Lee Corporation revealed it will close the Bryan Foods bacon and pork operations and its FlavoTech spice manufacturing locations as of the end of March, impacting some 1,200 workers. December 1, Sara Lee shut down the production line in West Point, MS that processed ready-to-eat foods, including diced ham, smoked meats and hot dogs, in an effort to increase operational efficiencies. Production of those items was transferred to Bryan Foods' other plants in Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. SEMAMembership invoices were mailed the beginning of January. Special thanks to Processing member Al Kaempfer of Register Meats and Associate member Scott Haus of Hovus for being the first to mail in their dues. Many of you have renewed your membership and your promptness is appreciated. A list of processing & associate members is on the SEMA web site, take a minute to acquaint yourself with our members and network within the association. DR. MASTERS LEAVES USDAFood Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Administrator Dr. Barbara Masters has left the Agency to become Senior Policy Analyst for Olsson, Frank & Weeda. Dr. David Goldman, a Captain in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service will serve as acting administrator until a permanent administrator is announced. ASSOCIATION NEWSAmerican Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), Jay Wenther has become the Executive Director. Jay began working with AAMP in September 2003 as Director of Science and Technology, before being promoted to Assistant Executive Director in July 2004. Jay will be a strong leader in our industry and we at SEMA look forward to working with him. Steve Krut, Executive Director for the past 33 years has retired and we wish Steve the best in his retirement. North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) has selected Philip Kimball as their new Executive Director. Philip is the former Executive Director of the National Renderers Association and more recently was the Executive Director of the National Dry Bean Council. Philip brings association experience, as he is the founder and former CEO of Kimball and Associates, an association management company. Retiring Deven Scott, served as Executive Director of NAMP from 1990 to 2000 and has served in that role the last couple of years. Deven will assist in the transition before retiring. HAZCOM - EMPLOYEES HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOWThe HazCom (Hazard Communication standard or Right-to-Know standard {OSHA’s 1910.1200}) standard is lengthy and very detailed in its application but is based on a very simple idea. All employees (full time, part time, temporary or contractors) have the right and the need to know about the hazards of the chemicals they are exposed to daily at their jobsite. While it is all-inclusive, training need only be done on general categories – carcinogens, acids … for example. Updated training is not required for every new chemical brought on-site, just when a new hazard is introduced to the workers. MSDS Sheets are required to be maintained and updated but it is not enough to hand the employees the MSDS and tell him to read it. The various hazard classes need to be explained and which chemicals fall into which categories detailed. Knowing the chemicals and the hazards associated with them at a given work space will not only lead increased safety at that position but potentially increased productivity due to the employee not being afraid of a certain chemical. Provided by SEMA member, Chilton Consulting Group
<<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->> DIRECTIVE01-07 01/08/07 SEMA INDUSTRY NEWSIf your company has something they would like to share or information to update please send it in to the SEMA office and we will post it. Example, new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc. Robert Reiser Co., Tyrone Beatty formerly with Alkar-Rapid, is now the corporate accounts manager handling Smithfield Corporate. American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), now has available a Crisis Management & Security Training Manual. While the guidelines developed by government agencies are voluntary, it is vital that all food businesses take steps to ensure the security of their operations. SEMA is an AAMP Affiliate member, allowing SEMA processing members to purchase the manual at the AAMP member rate of $35.00. To order a copy, call the AAMP office 717.367.1168. North American Meat Processors (NAMP), is celebrating its 65th year
of service to the meat industry. NAMP is best known for its publication
of the Meat Buyers Guide. This March 23-25th NAMP will hold its 50th
Management Conference in Chicago. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Companies that invest in employee learning have higher
productivity, revenue growth,
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