SEMA_________________________________

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

SEMA CONVENTION
“INCREASE PROFIT WITH KNOWLEDGE”
PALM COAST RESORT, PALM COAST, FL
JUNE 7-9, 2002

DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 95 take Exit 91C east, Follow the signs to Palm Coast Golf Resort

CONSUMER SAFETY OFFICER EDUCATION GRANT RECEIVED

U.s. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service awarded a grant to the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Texas A & M University and the International HACCP Alliance to train 75 new consumer Safety Officers (CSO). This is the second such grant that these organizations have received for this important educational program.
The first class will start at the beginning of June, and the contract includes an option to extend the program up to three classes of CSO’s per year for the next five years. The goal of educational programs is to provide consumer safety officers a thorough understanding of the scientific and technical issues related to food safety along with regulatory and enforcement requirements.
Presently, there are thirty-three consumer safety officers in the field who were trained at Texas A & M in October, 2001. More information on the CSO position and job description is available on the FSIS web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/background/cso.htm.

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE DATABASE AVAILABLE ON THE WEB

The food safety related database has been launched on the International HACCP Alliance web site. Users are able to search the database by key words and phrases. The goal of the database is to serve as a method to obtain scientific documentation in support of HACCP plan decisions. The idea for the database originated through the Education Committee meeting of the National Meat Association a few years ago and Kerri Harris, executive director of the International HACCP Alliance, has led the scientific database project. The web address for the scientific article database is http://haccpalliance.org/sciencelibrary.html

GLOBAL HACCP CONFERENCE A SUCCESS

Approximately 100 people attended the first Global HACCP conference in Chicago, IL, May 15-17. The conference featured outstanding speakers who led the exploration of key issues related to verification and validation, closing the gap between scientific and regulatory HACCP, the implementation and maintenance of HACCP systems, plus more critical issues for the food industry.
Several sessions were combinations of moderated panels and small-group “Knowledge and Need” sessions which allowed attendees to identify areas where information and industry collaboration is lacking.

E. coli O157:H7 LAWSUITS PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW

The Wisconsin Circuit Court for Milwaukee County dismissed on May 16 several lawsuits filed against Excel Corporation in connection with a foodborne outbreak attributed to a restaurant. The Circuit Court held that because intact beef cuts are not adulterated under federal law, even if contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) expressly preempts a state ruling that these products are adulterated, either legislatively or by a court decision. The Court stated that it is USDA’s job to determine when meat is “safe, wholesome and not adulterated” and to ensure compliance with a comprehensive, in-plant inspection program. “These (national) standards protect the meat processors also, so that they know what is expected of them in regard to their products that are distributed among the many states. In an area of such great national concern, it is essential that the rules be uniform.” The court also rejected the plaintiffs’ assertion that Excel had somehow contracted away its right to rely on federal preemption.

USDA HONORS FOOD SAFETY PIONEER

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2002—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today presented the first Howard E. Bauman Award for food safety at a science symposium hosted by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The award was given posthumously to Dr. Bauman and was accepted by his daughters, Victoria Zobel and Kay Rose.
Howard E. Bauman, who passed away last year, was the innovator behind the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system. Bauman played a most significant role in developing HACCP in the 1960’’ to provide uncontaminated food to astronauts.

RUSSIA RECEIVING POULTRY FROM THE U.S.

Trade between the U.S. and Russia is resuming. Ships are headed to Russia carrying product to be imported under the new import licensing regime. Russia has issued import licenses for over 147,000 tons of poultry. Russia imported about 1.2 million tons of poultry last year, over 80% being supplied by the United States.

NEW WAL-MART CONCEPT ON WAY?

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.’s latest concept—the Neighborhood Market—has caught on so well in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma that the giant retailer plans to expand into other states. The new format is a sort of grocery store/convenience store hybrid. Wal-Mart says Memphis is the next market for its new format.

HORMEL, CARGILL IN JOINT-VENTURE PACT

Austin, MN—Hormel Foods Corp., the fresh pork and meat products manufacturer based here, teamed up with Wichita, KS based Cargill, Inc. to expand a line of Hormel fresh-meat products. The two companies have formed a joint-venture firm called Precept Foods LLC to merchandise fresh, case-ready beef and pork under the Hormel Always Tender brand name.

UNDER FEDERAL LAW……….

No worker under 18 years of age may:

· Drive a motor vehicle as a regular part of job or operate a forklift.
· Operate many types of powered equipment, such as a circular saw, box crusher, meat slicer or bakery machine
· Work in wrecking, demolition, excavation or roofing.
· Work in mining, logging or a sawmill.
· Work in meat packing or slaughtering.
· Work where there is exposure to radiation.
· Work where explosives are made or stored.

FINDING GOOD HELP

Staffing industry revenues have nearly doubled over the past five years. Part of that growth has
come in Professional Employer Organizations, or PEO’s which handle administration of employees who work for other companies

SMALL FIRMS DRAW BIG INTEREST

Large companies long have been seen as more desirable places to work because they typically offer better salaries and benefits. But after corporate America’s layoff binge during the past several months, more job-seekers are finding small companies more attractive, especially in the post-Enron era, reports outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Challenger polled laid-off managers and executive and found that nearly two in three have found new positions with small employers. Small companies have the advantage of more flexibility—there’s less chance that a central bureaucracy is dictating policies such as time off.

SMOKING BAN FOR WORKPLACES GETS ON BALLOT

Tallahassee, FL—Florida voters will get the chance to decide in November if they want to change the state constitution to ban smoking at most indoor workplaces, including restaurants.
Smoke-Free for Health, the coalition sponsoring the measure, has collected enough signatures to make the ballot. The state Division of Elections has verified 492,150 signatures, a few thousand more than required.
The proposed amendment would outlaw smoking in restaurants, except for outdoor seating areas, and in all enclosed workplaces, including employee break rooms. Exceptions would be made for stand-alone bars, designated guest rooms in hotels and home business that don’t provide child care. State law now limits smoking in public places to designated smoking areas. Public places include government building, stores, restaurants, theaters and workplaces.

RESERVE WILL IMPOSE STIFFER LOAN TERMS

Washington, DC—The Federal Reserve on Friday unveiled a significant shift in its operations as the nation’s lender of last resort. It proposed making it more expensive for banks to borrow directly from the Fed.
Currently, banks that go to the Fed’s discount window are able to get loans that are about a half percentage point below the Fed’s target for the federal funds rate, the interest that commercial banks charge each other for loans. Under the proposal, the Fed would take away that break and instead charge banks using the discount window 1 full percentage point higher rate that the funds rate.
The Fed proposal surprised the banking industry. Bankers said it was not immediately clear what impact it would have on consumer interest rates.
Currently, the funds rate target is 1.75 percent, the lowest level in 40 years, and the discount rate is 1.25 percent.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

If you have some news (personal or business) that you would like to share with the Association, please let us know and we will make sure it gets into the next newsletter issue.

O O P S !!!!

The telephone number for Florida Beef was incorrectly stated in the May newsletter. The correct number is: 888-385-8738.

THINGS TO PONDER………….

If Wal-Mart is lowering prices everyday, how come nothing is free, yet??

“SAY HELLO TO OUR NEW MEMBER”

ODOM’S TENNESSEE PRIDE SAUSAGE, INC. – Larry Odom
Phone: 615-868-1360 Ext. 215 Fax: 615-860-4703

Tennessee Pride was started in 1943 by Douglas Odom Sr. After experimenting with different spice formulas, he hit upon what is now known as the “secret recipe” that makes Tennessee Pride flavor so great. Tennessee Pride is now in the third generation of family leadership.
Tennessee Pride is an industry leader in thinking and being “food safe.” It is our 450 dedicated associates that truly make all of our great products. From manufacturing to sales, from procurement to billing, everyone touches some aspect of our business and it is through them that the great taste of Tennessee Pride has survived the test of time, some 58+years.
From the first pound produced in 1943 until now, there are several key factors that make our products and our company successful:

· You, our customer
· Our commitment to quality
· Our commitment to good taste
· Our commitment to food safety
· Our associates

NEW MEMBERS:

KNOW YOUR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Come and meet the following Associate Members at the SEMA 2002 Convention. The following will be at the Convention: