SEMA_________________________________

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

JUNE 2004

VOLUME 19, No. 6

2004 SEMA ANNUAL CONVENTION
ADAM’S MARK HOTEL
DAYTONA BEACH, FL
June 10-13, 2004

“Team Strategy = Victory Lane”

Very few people get to the top without being taken under the wing of an older person
somewhere along the way.
Take your team under your wing and lead them to victory lane.
Come network and mentor with your peers
SEE YOU THERE!!!!!

FSIS TO HOLD WORKSHOPS ON NEW DIRECTIVES TO PREVENT E. coli 0157:H7

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced it will hold a series of teaching workshops around the nation for small and very small plants of new directives designed to strengthen E. coli O147:H7 prevention procedures.

The workshops are designed to provide owners and operators of plants with detailed information about three new directives as well as updated procedures inspectors will follow in certifying plant compliance.

The three FSIS Directives to be covered during the sessions are: Directive 10,010.1 Revision 1, Microbiological Testing Program and Other Verification Activities for Escherichia coli O157:h7 in Raw Ground Beef Products and Raw Ground Beef Components and Beef Patty Components; Directive 6420.0, Verification of Procedures for Controlling Fecal Material, Ingesta, and Milk in Slaughter Operations; and Directive 5000.2, Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel

Workshop Dates Are:

June 12 ~ Miami, Florida
July 31 ~ Montgomery, Alabama

NACMPI OPEN TO COMMENTS

The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection will meet June 2-3, 2004.
The agenda will cover:

FSIS final rule on the control of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products
The incorporation of food security measures into HACCP plans
Test-and-hold procedures for meat and poultry products that have been selected for microbiological or other testing by FSIS

The NACMPI was established to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding meat and poultry inspection programs. To submit comments on the topics go to: http://www.regulations.gov. All submissions must include the Agency name and docket #04-007N.

NEW MEMBER TO NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the appointment of Darin Detwiler to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. The U.S. Department of Agriculture sought a consumer representative to maintain a balance of representation among industry, state, academia, and consumer interests. Mr. Detwiler will serve until March, 2005.

Mr. Detwiler, a decorated Gulf War veteran, heads the math and science department at Best High School in Kirkland, Washington. Mr. Detwiler and his wife, Vicki, endured a life-changing experience in 1993 when their 17-month-old son Riley died from E. coli O157:H7 after being exposed to the pathogen through an infected daycare classmate.

Mr. Detwiler incorporates food safety relevance into history and science lessons. He collaborated with the National Science Teacher’s Association to develop a food safety education curriculum that met national science standards for schools.

FSIS DIRECTIVE 10,010.1 TOOK EFFECT 5/17/04

Microbiological Testing Program and Other Verification Activities for E. Coli O157:H7 In Raw Ground Beef Products and Raw Ground Beef Components and Beef Patty Components

This directive provides guidance to inspection program personnel on when to sample for E Coli. All companies producing ground beef or trimmings to be used for grinding are subject to testing. USDA is obligated to inform you of their intention to take a test and provide you ample time to hold the lot so test results may be received to avoid a public recall in the event of a positive sample.

For the full directive go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/10.010.1.pdf

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40% OF ALL PEOPLE IN BUSINESS FOR THEMSELVES ARE OLDER THAN 50
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CANADIAN BEEF IMPORTS

FSIS is allowing the following low-risk Canadian ruminant products into the US:

Veal
Boneless bovine meat, fresh or frozen, from animals under 30 months of age, including trim/manufacturing trim derived from skeletal muscle with associated tissues, not including any ground meat, trim derived from a mechanical separation process (including AMR) or derived from vertebral column.
Fresh or frozen bovine liver
Ruminant products originating in a BSE-free region or from the United States that are processed in Canada, provided that the products are not commingled with ruminant products from regions affected with BSE.

ETHNIC NICHE WILL BECOME MAINSTREAM

By 2005, Hispanics will overtake African Americans as the nation’s largest ethnic population. “Not since the Baby Boomer generation will there be this kind of buying power in numbers,” said Denyse Selesnick of International Information, Inc. speaking at the Food Marketing Institute Show in Chicago.

American-born Hispanics tend to pursue mainstream American products, have smaller families and more education and place more emphasis on healthier cooking than the Mexican-born Hispanic. The demand for Mexican food increases by 10 percent every year.

The bottom line of Selesnick’s presentation was simple: “Know your neighborhood. Understand the ethnic makeup of your neighborhood and market to their needs and preferences.”

CONVENIENCE SALES

Refrigerated meat entrees are gaining in market share. The consumer today is looking for quality, healthy, tasty and convenience. When they eat at home, they want something that is quick to prepare and tastes good.

Consumers are changing, by 2050, 50% of Americans will be non-white and under the 30 years of age. Not only do they want products that are convenient but the shopping experience as well. We are and will see more suppliers going direct to the consumer. Last year, Hormel’s refrigerated entrees increased 16.4% over the previous year and Tyson’s 10% even though private label entrees fell off 20 %

By these figures you can see that brand “identity” will be a must to compete in the market. This may be done by brand-sharing, partnerships, or selling direct to the consumer.

FSIS OMBUDSMAN POSITION OPEN

Linda Swancina, FSIS Deputy Administrator thought the position would be filled by the end of March. An ombudsman is an Agency employee whose responsibility is to look into concerns raised by stakeholder groups about what the Agency is doing. FSIS is looking for a well-qualified person.

FSIS INTERIM POLICY ON LABELING OF CARBS

FSIS will allow certain statements about carbohydrates . It will not object to, on any panel of the label, “carb conscious” and “carb wise” and will not prohibit the use of carbohydrate content calculations on a label as long as the label adequately explains them to consumers.

FMCSA – NEW DRIVER RULE

New drivers of heavy trucks must be schooled in alcohol and drug rules, driver’s well-being and whistle-blower rules. This rule takes effect July 20, 2004. For more information log on to: www.ATA.com

FED EX RAISING RATES

Fed Ex is to implement a 5.9% general rate increase effective June 14, 2004.

MORE THAN GROCERIES FOR SALE

Several companies have expressed interest in the Bi-Lo and Bruno’s chains that Ahold USA is seeking to sell. Those include some “significant players” who are interested in the chains either as a financial investment or as a strategic addition to their own operations, according to Bill Grize, president and CEO, Ahold USA. Both Publix Super Markets and Kroger have been reported as possible strategic buyers. Ahold said it hopes to complete their sale by the end of 2004.

GLOVES SAFE & SNUG

Today, gloves are carrying out high-tech germ warfare. A new design that could be on the U.S. market by the end of the year emits a gas that’s safe to humans but deadly to everything from HIV to E.coli.

How It Works:

Gloves: Emit the gaseous form of chlorine dioxide, which has been shown to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and spores, including HIV and E. coli.
Chemical: Registered by the Environmental Protection Agency, it is used to disinfect drinking water, meat, seafood and produce packaging. It kills microbes by disrupting the flow of nutrients across the cell wall.

BEEF FACTS FOLDER

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently updated and expanded the Beef Facts Folder for Foodservice. This quick-reference folder features “product sheets” on the most popular beef cuts plus informative sheets on the new ranch and flat iron cuts. Menu ideas, profitability guides, preparation techniques, nutrition information, and the latest safety information on beef handling and storage are also included. To order, go to www.beef-foodservice.com or call 800.922.2373.

EATING OUT IS IN

Restaurants continue to benefit as Americans opt to eat out. Sales keep growing as the industry garners a larger share of the food dollar and adds new locations. Come hear John Schultz of TGI Fridays and Marcus Tolson of Americrown at the convention and get their professional advice on new trends.

UPCOMING HACCP WORKSHOPS!!

Workshops Presented by Chilton Consulting Group, Jeff Chilton
Phone 706.694.8325 Fax: 706.694.8316
e-mail: chilton@alltel.net
website: www.chiltonconsulting.com

Basic Workshop

June 29-30, 2004 ~ Tampa, Florida
July 27-28, 2004 ~ Gainesville, GA

Advanced Workshop (2 Days)

July 29-30, 2004 ~ Gainesville, GA

Jeff Chilton will be an exhibitor at this year’s convention. Stop by his table and visit with him about these workshops.

CONVENTION CONTESTS

Again this year, the exhibitors will be sponsoring a contest for one person to win a 14” Advent Flat Screen TV. Contest cards will be included in the registration packets. Best of Luck !!!!!!

This year we will also be holding a raffle for one free member registration to next year’s convention. The raffle will be held the night of the silent auction and raffle tickets will be $5.00 per ticket. Proceeds will go to the SEMA Scholarship Fund.

Also, we are holding a Silent Auction this year to raise monies for our Scholarship Fund. Bring your checkbooks or cash (no credit cards, please) and get ready to bid on some very unusual items. Winners will be announced Friday evening after dinner.

CHEF NEEDS HELP!!!

Wade Dunkin, Executive Chef, at Davidsons in Canton, MS is looking for a good meat purveyor. He is new to the area and would like some information. You can contact Wade at: 601.855.2268

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THINGS TO PONDER………………………….

Take care of those who work for you and you will float to greatness on their achievements.
H.S.M. Barnes…
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THANKS TO ALL OF YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE CONVENTION!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS, INC.
2640-204 Blanding Boulevard
Middleburg, FL 32068

Jim Link, Account Manager
Phone: 904.291.0996
Fax: 904.291.0995
e-mail: linkjc@airproducts.com

Tracey MacGown, Region Manager
Phone: 225.642.4252
Fax: 225.642.5203
e-mail: macgownts@airprodcuts.com

EXPRESS LABEL CO
1955 Corporate Square
Longwood, FL 32750

Steve Mintz, Sr.; Sales Representative
Phone: 407.332.4774 ext 111

THE STELLAR GROUP
2900 Hartley Road
Jacksonville, FL 32257

Clay Glisson, Regional Director
Phone: 904.899.9314
Fax: 904.899.9314
e-mail: cglisson@thestellargroup.com

KNOW YOUR ASSOCIATES

The Insulated Panel Services (IPS) Group of Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI) provides services for the Food and Beverage markets working on new construction, renovation, maintenance and design-build projects. PCI is a subsidiary of Performance Contracting Group, Inc. (PCG), one of the top 15 specialty contractors in the United States. Our scope of work includes providing materials and labor for:

Insulated metal panels at freezers, coolers, processing areas, etc for walls, ceiling and roof applications.
Insulated and industrial doors, strip curtain walls
EPDM Roofing Systems
Dock Equipment

For more information please contact: Mike Wilson, Manager of Business Development/Senior Estimator; Performance Contracting, Inc.; 115D Walter Davis Drive; Birmingham, AL 35209
Office Phone: 800.275.2905 Fax: 205.942.9360 Mobile: 205.790.7000
e-mail: mike.wilson@pcg.com