SEMA_________________________________

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

SEMA CONVENTION

The SEMA convention theme T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) has University and industry leaders coming together to share ideas for the betterment of the meat industry. Mike Satzow of North Country Smokehouse will share his business strategies via power-point presentation. Larry Eubanks and Dr. Sally Williams from the University of Florida will be presenting new beef cuts and Marinations techniques.

The convention program is designed for owners and top management. The convention will be at the oceanfront Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, June 8-9. There will be time for fun, at the beach or enjoying the Saturday golf tournament. The convention program and registration are available on the conventions page.

LET THE SEMA T-E-A-M HELP YOU

Many of our SEMA Associate members will have tabletop displays at the SEMA convention. This is a great opportunity to learn what is new in the industry and the latest trends. Tabletops are sold out. Associate members that will be exhibiting:

The following colleges this year will have tabletop displays. You will have an opportunity meet the SEMA scholarship recipients and learn the expertise of each school.
**University of Georgia Chris Kerth
**University of Florida Dr. Sally Williams, Larry Eubanks
**University of Tennessee, Dr. Dwight Loveday
**Auburn, Dr. Wayne Greene

RECALL, ARE YOU INSURED?

It is not uncommon today to read about a recall of some kind of product. It is an expensive experience that unfortunately insurance does not always cover. General liability sometimes might include bodily injury such as a broken tooth or food poisoning but the expense of bringing in and destroying bad product and loss of business is not covered.

There are product recall policies available that help with the expense of shipping, product disposal and crisis management. The London markets offer some broader policies, which include loss of income caused by recall. SEMA member American Risk Managers, Inc. can help you with getting the right coverage.

FSIS REGULATORY EDUCATION SESSION

FSIS has scheduled a regulatory education session in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 12 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Holiday Inn, Crabtree Valley Hotel. The session is for owners and operators of small and very small plants. The session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation performance standard regulations and food defense.

To register by phone, call 800-336-3747. Online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp.

FSIS UPDATES RTE PRODUCTS FORM

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published a Notice in the May 31 Federal Register announcing the availability of an electronic Web-based version of FSIS Form 10,240-1, “Production Information on Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-To-Eat Products.” This form will now be available for online submission for the collection of information “about the ready-to-eat (RTE) products produced by establishments.” All establishments are required to file this new form within 30 days after an awareness meeting with their inspection program personnel.

The Notice may be viewed at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2006-0038.pdf. FSIS Form 10,240-1 may be viewed at: www.fsis.usda.gov/Forms/PDF/Form_10240-1.pdf. The agency is accepting comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov. or by e-mail at FSIS.RegulationsComments@usda.gov.

FSIS MAGAZINE

FoodSafe: The FSIS Magazine is a quarterly publication that focuses on food safety behavior trends, emerging science and research, inspection issues (domestic and international), and education programs for food workers, consumers and caregivers.

The Winter/Spring issue showcases USDA's efforts to reach out to at-risk populations to help fight food borne illness in the global marketplace through educational programs, a food safety conference, and targeted publications.

Sign up now to receive automatic notification by email when the magazine is posted. Electronic access to the magazine is FREE.

HAM and FOOD SAFETY

The FSIS has available information that serves to carve up the facts and make them easier to understand. Includes a ham glossary. Available on www.fsis.usda.gov

FOOD DEFENSE PLAN

Available on the FSIS website is a guide that provides an easy, practical, and achievable three-step method for creating a food defense plan. By completing pages 13 -16 of the guide, you will have a plan specific for your operation. The guide can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov then click on Small and Very Small Plants.

SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

If your company has something they would like to share or information to update please send it in to the SEMA office and we will post it. Example: new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc.

Chilton Consulting Group will have a Basic HACCP Workshop in Orlando on June12-13 following the SEMA convention. Jeff Chilton of the Chilton Consulting Group will exhibit and give a presentation on Listeria Assessment at the SEMA convention.

American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), now has available a Crisis Management & Security Training Manual. SEMA is an AAMP Affiliate member, allowing SEMA processing members to purchase the manual at the AAMP member rate of $35.00. To order a copy, call the AAMP office 717.367.1168.

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WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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