SEMA_________________________________ SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION JULY 2002, VOLUME 17, No. 8BIOTERRORISM - AN EXCUSE TO ENFORCE USER FEES?FDA is looking to impose user fees to processors and distributors to fund the new registration program signed by President Bush last month as part of the bio-terroism law. The new rule will require foreign and domestic food facilities to register with FDA. This will allow the agency to track a product’s supply and distribution in the event of a food-related terrorist threat. BEEF CHECK-OFF, UNCONSTITUTIONAL?The U.S. District Court in South Dakota ruled the Beef Promotion and Research Act was unconstitutional. The check off program requires cattle ranchers to pay $1.00 per head of sold cattle to the program. This came to a halt July 15,2002. The judge ruled that cattle producers couldn't’t be forced to pay for beef promotion that they do not feel benefits them. Ann Veneman, Agriculture Secretary, is consulting with the Department of Justice to determine the next step. Ann Veneman said, “the beef promotion program in particular has helped beef demand to increase and has contributed to increase U.S. beef exports.” HACCP ALLIANCE NEW FOOD SAFETY-RELATED DATABASEThe International HACCP Alliance has launched a food safety-related database on its web site. The goal of the database is to serve as a method to obtain scientific documentation in support of HACCP plan decisions. Users are able to search the database by key words and phrases. Dr. Kerri B. Harris, Executive Director of the International HACCP Alliance, has lead the scientific database project. The database is being continuously updated and developed by Texas A & M University graduate students under the guidance of Dr. Jeff Savell. To access the database, go to www.haccpalliance.org/sciencelibrary.html. FOOD SAFETY MEETING RECOMMENDATIONS The Alliance for Food Safety met in Washington, D.C., to discuss prevention
of food tampering. Through the USDA Homeland Security Council, the FSIS
is prepared to work with USDA to deal with any bio-security threats. Craig
Watz of the FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Operations Unit suggests the
following to reduce the risk of food tampering: NEW SEMA SERVICESThe SEMA web site is up and running. There is a classified ads section for processing members looking to buy or sell. This is at no charge to SEMA members. Currently, we are working on a Q.A. Room that will be password-protected. The Q. A. Room will be for technical questions and as a resource for members needing help. Just e-mail your technical question and it will be put on-line for others to reply to. For technical problems that cannot be helped through the Q. A. Room, a Technical Services Committee has been formed to help our members. Call Anna Ondick at the SEMA office for assistance.
Food for Thought…….How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you are
on. THOUGHT YOU’D WANT TO KNOW….Past SEMA President, John Schultz, has moved to Dallas, Texas. John is Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager at TGI Friday’s division of Carlson Restaurant Association. If you would like to stay in touch with John, he can be reached at: Telephone: 972.450.5697 E-mail: jschultz@crww.com
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