SEMA_________________________________ SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION JANUARY, 2003 VOLUME 18, No.1
Under the draft Directive, there were two categories of testing for plants. The final version of the Directive includes an additional category—“low risk”. These products, according to the new requirements, will be tested at a “decreased frequency.” Another change is that establishments will not be penalized with a Non-Compliance Report (NR) if Listeria is found on a food contact surface or in an environmental sample. Instead, inspectors will verify that the establishment has taken corrective actions to fix the Listeria problem. PORK EXPORTS ON THE RISE Enhanced pork, or “deep-marinated” pork is in big demand in the Caribbean, thanks in part to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The primary concern is flavor. Caribbean chefs only became convinced of enhanced pork’s superior palatability after several blind taste-tests at USMEF pork seminars, according to a new release. Liz Wunderlich, a consultant to the USMEF Caribbean said, “These chefs were amazed when 90 percent of them chose enhanced pork loin over ‘regular pork.” LATINOS RESPONDING TO PORK BOARD’S NEW HISPANIC CAMPAIGN The NPB created a campaign that encouraged the consumption of U.S. pork using the slogan “El Cerdo es Bueno (“Pork is Good”) to reinforce pork’s positive attributes of being safe and nutritious, as well as delicious. The research shows that NPB’s key campaign messages are resonating with Hispanic consumers and have begun to change the negative perceptions of pork, and as a result, Hispanic consumers are more comfortable buying and eating pork. F Y I A Precipitous Decline------Hog-farm numbers have declined by two-thirds in just the past eight years. As recently as 1980 there were 700,000 hog farms in the U.S. IRRADIATED MEAT Several major food retail outlets are rolling out irradiated meats.
Irradiated beef, the next generation of ground beef, is already in some
large retail chains in the Midwest and East Coast. The USDA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.N. World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and 40 other nations have approved irradiation. The USDA has just approved irradiation for fruits and vegetables.
USDA’S Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that the amount
of water retained in raw poultry and meat products as a result of post-evisceration
processing will take effect on January 9. PETA TURNS CHICKEN People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals began a boycott against Louisville, Kentucky-based KFC. PETA wants KFC and other quick-service restaurants to enforce immediate changes by telling farmers they will not buy chickens raised and slaughtered under current conditions. INCREASE IN USDA GRADING FEES The Agriculture Department is increasing fees for certain grading services for eggs, poultry and rabbits effective January 1, 2003. The basic hourly rate for a grader with a regular tour of duty at a plant will rise from the current $31.52 to $33.36. The basic hourly rate for inspection service on an intermittent, as-needed basis, will rise from the current $54.40 to $57.68 an hour for regular hours and from $62.76 to $66.64 an hour for work on weekends and holidays.
A Food Marketing Institute and Prevention magazine study shows more than 60 percent of American shoppers believe that organic foods are better for their health. However, less than 40 percent purchased the organic version of their favorite foods, possibly due to higher costs. Shoppers are buying organic fruits and vegetables but something is keeping them from purchasing the organic versions of other foods. Findings suggest that price may be the leading reason. HOLD THAT IRA The IRS has increased its life-expectancy guidelines, which means you won’t have to withdraw as much cash from you IRA’s at age 70 ½ (when you’re required to start taking out money). The big benefit: You won’t pay as much in taxes because future withdrawals are spread out over more years. DID YOU KNOW???? The percentage of older Americans that are debt-free has decreased… In 1992 66 percent were debt-free COURTING TROUBLE Age discrimination is now the fastest-growing type of complaint received by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The second fastest: discrimination based on disability. UPCOMING MEETINGS NORTH CAROLINA MEAT PROCESSORS NATIONAL MEAT ASSOCIATION HACCP & REGULATORY UPDATE Chilton Consulting Group will conduct a one-day workshop on Listeria Control and Reassessment on January 21, 2003 in Atlanta, GA. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Southeastern Meat Association and will be presented by Mr. Jeff Chilton, Dr. Estes Reynolds, Ph.D. and Dr. David Dreesen, DVM. For more information contact Jeff Chilton at 706-694-8325 or e-mail at chilton@alltel.net. The CCG HACCP Workshop Schedule is: February 4-5, 2003 Gainesville, GA MEMBERSHIP REPORT 2002 We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our 2002 new members and look forward to their support of SEMA. As of December 31, 2002, SEMA had 48 Regular Members and 60 Associate Members. Processing Members:
Associate Members:
Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money…….. |