SEMA_________________________________

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

NEW EMPLOYEE INJURIES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Forty percent of employees injured at work have been on the job for less than a year. It seems like a high percentage, doesn't it? Why is it so high? In a nutshell, new employees lack the knowledge and experience that is gathered by workers who have spent more time on the job.

Three reasons new employees get injured are:

1. New employees do not thoroughly understand the necessity of using required PPE--or how to use it properly.
2. New employees are often afraid to ask questions.
3. Employers assume that new employees know more than they really do--and that common sense will prevent most accidents.

For more reasons new employees may get injured visit: http://safety.blr.com/display.cfm/id/104841

FSIS - REDUCE E. coli 0157:H7

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) continues action to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing and more rapid recalls.

In January, the Agency will begin using a test that will detect lower levels of E. coli O157:H7 contamination. FSIS will begin routine targeted sampling for E. coli O157:H7 at slaughter and processing facilities. Currently, all plants have an equal chance of being tested. Under this new verification testing program, FSIS will test larger volume operations more frequently than in the past. Data from the checklists will also be used to determine testing frequency for establishments. FSIS will conduct audits of countries importing raw beef products to the U.S.; it will place special emphasis on E. coli O157:H7 control measures.

IKE - FSIS DIRECTIVE 12,600.2

FSIS Directive 12,600.2 – Determining When Inspection Coverage Is Required and Overtime Is Charged.

The Interactive Knowledge Exchange (IKE) is a tool that FSIS inspection program personnel can use to better understand Agency Policies. IKE issued in support of FSIS Directive 12,600.2 an example of when inspection coverage is required, and inspection personnel are to charge the establishment for their overtime service. This may be a tool you wish to use to better understand how the Agency Policies are to work. Visit www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Employees/IKE.

SOME “RWA” POULTRY LABELS RESCINDED

An FSIS review of recently approved labels bearing “Raised without Antibiotics (RWA)” or similar claims revealed that some labels for poultry products have been approved in error. All poultry product labels bearing a RWA or similar claim for birds administered ionophores are rescinded. The RWA claim is present on the labeling of some poultry products that were produced from poultry that were fed a diet that included ionophores, e.g. salinomycin, narasin, and monesin.

The term “antibiotics” is defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as “a chemical substance produced by a microorganism, which has the capacity, in dilute solutions, to inhibit the growth of or to kill other microorganisms.”

It is a longstanding FSIS policy that ionophores are antibiotics because they meet the AVMA definition. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agrees that by strict definition, ionophores are antibiotics thus; poultry meat from birds to which ionophores have been administered is not eligible to bear a “RWA” claim.

RETAIL PREDICTIONS FOR 2008

Retail grocers this year will work to build consumer confidence and loyalty. The following are a few 2008 predictions retailers will work on:

• Retailers will be trying to eliminate trans fats from their shelves.
• Restore the consumer’s confidence in our food supply.
• Insure that proper nutrients and safety procedures are in place.
• Focus on healthier foods. 76 million baby boomers start turning 65 in 2010.
• Build relationships with consumers, suppliers and manufacturers.

To read more about predictions for the retail market visit www.supermarketguru.com

RESTAURANT NEWS

RESTAURANT CATERING
More independent restaurants and chains are entering the catering market as dining-room traffic slows. The Dallas Morning News

HISPANICS MARKET
The combination of generally lower incomes and larger households makes Hispanics the ethnic group most likely to visit quick service and fast-casual restaurants, according to consumer research firm Mintel. One Texas-based marketing consultant predicts that as their incomes rise, Hispanics, who have been found to be more receptive to advertising and marketing messages than the general population, will visit more upscale restaurants. Restaurant Business

2008 RESTAURANT FORECAST
What's in store for the restaurant industry in 2008? Find out in the National Restaurant Association's 2008 Restaurant Industry Forecast and 2008 Forecast Podcast Series. National sales are expected to reach $558 billion, and top trends include increased focus on food safety and going green. Visit www.restaurant.org to listen to three focused pod casts of highlights from the 2008 Forecast.

From National Restaurant Assoc. website

CONSUMER TRENDS

Mintel, a global supplier of consumer, media and market research, reports that consumers will want to stay away from foods with additives and preservatives. Mintel Global New Products Database research showed some 2008 trends being:

• Clean labels: Clean labels contain ingredients easy for consumers to understand. While these labels may be difficult for some processors to achieve, Mintel predicts that in 2008, more products will have ingredient labels that read like a home recipe.
• Transparency throughout the system: Processors will increase transparency about where ingredients come from, how they are manufactured and how they are packaged.
• Junk-free foods: "Junk" is described by consumer activist groups as any additives, preservatives, colors, flavor or otherwise unknown ingredients listed on food labels. Watch for some companies to expand their "junk-free" labeling, while others find ways to explain the importance of these misunderstood ingredients.
• Salt, a positive and a negative: Products with too much salt often get a bad rap, but in 2008, companies may follow Campbell Soup's lead and formulate some of their products with sea salt rather than mineral salt. In addition, "place" salts (e.g. Hawaiian red clay salt) and flavored salts will appear more often on supermarket shelves.
• Experiential shopping: Traditional supermarkets will expand the number and types of experiences they offer in store, including more in-store dining, warmer lighting and familiar display fixtures. Mintel also expects more built-in sampling stations to keep consumers interested and most important, in the store longer.

Meatingplace.com

KANSAS STATE SURVEY ON FOOD DEFENSE PROGRAMS COMING SOON

Kansas State University, in cooperation with NAMP, AAMP, and AMI, will be conducting a survey on food defense among meat and poultry establishments.

Employees of large, small and very small meat and poultry processing establishments who are involved with, or responsible for, food defense preparedness activities for their company are asked to participate. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the needs of processors in setting up and operating food defense (security) programs, and develops effective training materials and other tools based on the responses. Participation is voluntary and all responses are strictly confidential. The survey is done solely to gather information that will be used for the development and support of industry training programs.

The survey will be available through a link on the NAMP, AAMP, and AMI websites and other Association websites. The link to the survey will be available sometime in January or February and will take about 15 minutes to complete.

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, call 800.336.3747 or check www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events.

To register, call 800.336.3747 or for online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions go to: www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp.

Web Seminar
*FSIS Statistical Process Control Policies and Guidance Procedures in Slaughter Operations
This seminar will review FSIS guidelines for generic E. coli testing for process control verification in cattle, swine, and poultry establishments. January 9, 2008

*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 up-date, please send it to the SEMA office and it will be posted at no charge. Example, new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc.

Poly-Clip Systems: Greg Camp has left Poly-Clip Systems and joined Stellar Group in Jacksonville, FL, as the Director of Business Development for the Food/Beverage and Process Engineering Divisions. We look forward to Greg’s continued participation in SEMA.

POULTRY EXPO

International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo, January 25-27, 2008. Several poultry industry trade publications will present educational programs during the 2008 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo. The programs are open to all IPE / IFE attendees at no charge. The special sessions will be held prior to the show's opening on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 23-24.
To get a complete description of these programs, go to www.ipe08.org/events/.

SEMA Membership: An Association is only as strong as its membership. SEMA membership renewal information has been mailed out. Membership renewal has been 90% or above each year. The Association is strong and continues to grow stronger each year. The Board of Directors and I look forward to your continued support and participation in the Association. Anna Ondick

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Story to Ponder . . . . . . . . . Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed.”

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WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER

White Oaks Pastures, Inc.
P.O. Box 98
Bluffton, GA 39824
229.641.2081
Will Harris, Owner

GET TO KNOW NEW SEMA ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

CDC Software-Ross Enterprise: Ross is CDC Software’s comprehensive suite of applications for food processors. The suite of applications address the unique challenges of the meat industry, including detailed product costing and profitability analysis, dual units of measure, management of pricing and promotions, optimized forecasting and scheduling, improved order fulfillment and customer service, inventory optimization with minimal spoilage and compliance with food safety regulations and mock recalls.
For more information, contact Jon Cowan, Sr. Sales Executive at 404.687.0047.

ELISA Technologies is a professional full-service diagnostic laboratory providing worldwide government agencies, producers, and consumers with reliable, accurate testing solutions for MEAT SPECIES, FOOD ALLERGENS, VETERINARY/FOOD SAFETY, MYCOTOXINS, ANIMAL/FISH SPECIES, and SANITATION. Recognized for official confirmatory methods, ELISA Technologies provides kits for the USDA-FSIS, SENASA (Argentina), and FFIS (Japan).

Preventing adulteration of meat foods with less desirable or objectionable meat species is important for economic, regulatory, health, and ethnic reasons. The identification of meat species is performed in many countries to assure consumers that the meat and poultry they purchase is safe, wholesome, unadulterated and properly labeled.

Clients around the world rely on our experience and expertise to provide accurate and prompt test results in a professional confidential manner. In the area of meat speciation we are the leader, from ground beef to cooked products to animal feeds. Our allergen, antibiotic, drug, steroid, hormone and Mycotoxin testing services are conducted using the best immunoassay methods available. Our validated methods include those with AOAC, USDA, FDA, CFIA and EC official method status.
For more information, contact Bruce Ritter, CEO at 352.337.3929.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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