SEMA_________________________________

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

SEMA Convention

Special thanks go out to our University partners for their participation in the convention.  Moderating the program was Ryan Crowe from the University of Georgia.  The University of Florida’s Larry Eubanks, Chad Carr and scholarship recipient Brittany McDaniel ran the audio-visual working with our speakers to make their presentations shine. 

Friday the exhibitor’s ballroom opened to a business lunch and 46 exhibitors showing the latest in trends and technology.  The SEMA Associate member’s support and participation in the association is important and appreciated.  Attendees commented on useful ideas they received while visiting the exhibitor tables. 
               
Exhibitors

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Long Drive, Greg Lange      Closest to the Pin, Tom Foley

Time for Fun
After a full day of exhibits and meetings, everyone had a great time at the

            The convention wrapped up Saturday evening with the Presidents Banquet.  The SEMA 2013-14 Officers and Directors were introduced and golf awards given out.  The association surprised Anna Ondick, SEMA Executive Director by honoring her work with the association for the past 13 years.  SEMA President, Wayne Lord and Director David Lee presented Anna with a beautiful serving tray and incoming President Don Wilson presented Anna with a plaque of recognition. 

Register For Control of STEC and Salmonella in Beef Processing Conference

The Southeastern Meat Association (SEMA) is partnering with the North American Meat Association and other Associations, media and the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo_ membership to host a conference about Shiga-Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella and other challenging topics beef processors are facing.  The conference, “Control of Shiga-Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella in Beef Processing” will be held September 18-19, 2013 at the Four Points by Sheraton near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.  This conference is designed for meat processors who produce ground beef, mechanically tenderized steaks and other non-intact beef products. 
The event also offers a networking reception with table top exhibits by leading food safety companies showcasing their technologies and services.

This year’s conference features top experts, including: 
Dr. Dayna Harhay, US Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC), on Salmonella Research 
Dr. Brad Morgan, Zoetis; Dr. Angie Siemens, Cargill; and Dr. Jim Marsden, Kansas State University on the challenge of Salmonella 
Dr. Hannah Gould, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the epidemiology of Salmonella 
Rachel Edelstein, USDA/FSIS, on policy updates and the 2014 agenda
Dr. Keith Belk, Colorado State University, on choosing effective beef pathogen interventions 
Dr. Kendra Nightingale, Food Safety Net Services and Texas Tech University, on test methods and testing programs 
Dr. Emilio Esteban, USDA/FSIS, on FSIS testing programs 
Dr. Mohammad Koohmaraie, IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group, and Dr. John Ruby, JBS USA, on event days and disposition 
Kristina Butts, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on Capitol Hill news 
Dr. Kerri Harris, International HACCP Alliance and Texas A&M University, on regulating STECs and improving food safety systems 
Dr. Barb Masters, OFW Law, on addressing STECs and Salmonella in HACCP plans 

The conference has the support of the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) membership. 
Register now to take advantage of the early registration discount: Until August 28th, the registration fee for the two-day conference is US$449 for members of the co-hosting organizations, and US$549 for non-members. 
For more information, go to www.meatassociation.com

USDA FSIS User Fees

SEMA signed on a letter with other meat and poultry associations to oppose the USDA FSIS User Fees.  The letter urged Congress to continue to oppose proposals to assess a new user fees, either in whole or in part, to fund federally mandated meat, poultry or egg product inspection.  The proposal by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS or the Agency) would be a new user fee, which will be charged to plants that have “sample failures” or require additional inspection activities due to “regulatory non-compliance”.   The new fees are estimated to total $4 million annually.

Things to Ponder . . . . . . . . WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES,
                                                        it takes away today's PEACE.

FSIS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing new requirements for labeling beef products that have been mechanically tenderized, including adding new cooking instructions, so that consumers can safely enjoy these products.
FSIS Proposes New Labeling Rules for Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products (Jun 12, 2013)

FSIS Notice 38-12  Interpreting Results of FSIS Verification Sampling of Domestic Beef Product Derived From Advanced Meat Recovery Systems (AMR01/FAMR01)

FSIS Notice 39-13 Sampling of Raw Beef Product Intended for the National School Lunch Program

FSIS Notice 41-13 Verification of Establishment’s Address for the Purpose of Receiving FSIS Sampling Supplies

FSIS Directive 1230.1 FSIS Issuance System

FSIS Notice 40-13 Additional Instructions for Reporting Animal Disposition Data in the Public Health Information System (PHIS)

FSIS Notice 43-13  Verification Procedures for the RTEPROD Sampling Project

FSIS Notice 42-12 Length of Service April, May, and June 2013

FSIS Notice 41-13 Verification of Establishment’s Address for the Purpose of Receiving FSIS Sampling Supplies

NR Appeal
Q.  What can I do if I do not agree with the documentation on the Noncompliance Record (NR)?

A.  You have the right to appeal all or part of the NR. The appeal should be addressed through the FSIS chain-of-command. 9 CFR 306.5 and 9 CFR 381.35 states that the establishment shall appeal to the immediate supervisor of the person who made the decision. The chain of command can be found in the Compliance Guideline for Small and Very Small Plants Appealing Inspection Decisions . The link below will go to this document.  http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/SVS_Appeals_Guidelines.pdf 

Food Defense Plan
Q.  Does FSIS have information available to assist meat or poultry establishments that are developing a food defense plan?

A.  Guidance specifically to assist small and very small establishments with developing a food defense plan can be accessed at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Small_Very_Small_Plant_Outreach/index.asp.
Additional guidance materials on food defense can be accessed at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Defense_&_Emergency_Response/Guidance_Materials/index.asp.

Know Your New Members

Delta Scale and Equipment is one of the Southeast’s leading suppliers of high quality, optimum performance meat processing equipment. Our organization is committed to providing our customers a level of personalized, old fashioned customer service coupled with best-in-class support within our industry for maximum uptime. Our portfolio includes but is not limited to such outstanding manufacturers as Hollymatic, Minipack, Daniels Food Equipment, Mettler Toledo, Mainca, Bizerba and Varimixer to mention a few. Additionally we stock consumables such as patty paper, bulker paper, labels and film. Our service and support staff have years of industry experience and expertise in resolving problems quickly and efficiently, resulting in minimal downtime. Our goal is simple: to exceed all your expectations during and well beyond the sales process. Put us to the test!
Delta Scales and Equipment was an exhibitor at the convention. 
Contact, Fred Dixon @ 800.446.5475.

Welcome New SEMA Member

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Ken Hubel  or Scott Gabriel
2505 Hawkeye Ct.  Virginia Beach, VA 23457
Ken 562.988.1223 or Scott 800.522.3101

Kitchen Brains
Sherry Kraynak 
905 Honeyspot Rd.  Stratford, CT 06615
203.380.3488

Florida Gulf Packaging
Mike Kreminski 
7520 West Park Ave.  Palmetto, FL 34221
941.729.8080

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