SEMA_________________________________

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

MARCH 2003                                   VOLUME 18, No. 3

FSIS REACHES OUT TO SMALL AND VERY SMALL PLANTS

The FSIS Small and Very Small Plant Outreach Program was designed to develop and provide technical guidance and assistance to meet the specific needs of small and very small meat, poultry and technical guidance and assistance to meet the specific needs of small and very small meat, poultry and egg processing plants. Small plants include all establishments with ten or more employees but fewer than 500, and very small plants include all establishments with fewer than 10 employees, or annual sales of less than $2.5 million.

“Consumers expect their food to be safe regardless of the size of the plant it came from, but small and very small plants may not have the same resources as large plants to improve food safety,” said FSIS Administrator Dr. Garry L. McKee. “This program provides extra assistance to help them meet our food safety requirements.”

The courses were provided through cooperative education agreements with nine universities. The universities also developed educational materials based on targeted sanitation, pathogen reduction and HACCP needs.

SEMA is looking into this program and will provide more information on how you may take advantage of it.

FSIS RELEASES DRAFT RISK ASSESSMENT ON LISTERIA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service released a draft risk assessment for Listeria that could lead to reductions in illnesses and deaths associated with the pathogen. The risk assessment allows for the evaluation of various control measures in the production of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products and is an important step as the agency moves toward final rulemaking. The Food Safety Inspection Service will hold a public meeting Feb. 26 to discuss results of a draft risk assessment for listeria.

For further information log on to: www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/news/2003/draftlmra.htm.

USER FEES IN NEW USDA BUDGET TO FUND MORE FOOD SAFETY

The Bush Administration is going to fund its increased food safety budget requests in the new federal budget by trying to make meat and poultry plants pay “user fees”.

The industry is sending to the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate a letter in opposition to the “user fees”. The letter stated, “In reality, these so-called ‘user fees’ for government mandated food safety inspection programs represent a tax on consumers, livestock producers and the meat, poultry and egg processing industries. If enacted into law, this proposal to end government funding of food safety inspection would provide even less incentive for the government to manage its program costs, outcomes or efficiencies. Further, such a ‘user’ fee would create the perception that inspectors are being paid by the industries they are supposed to regulate, which could erode public confidence in federal food safety inspection programs.

NEW RESEARCH STUDIES FOCUS ON REDUCING LISTERIA

The AMI Foundation unveiled three new research studies with significant findings on reducing Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat meat and poultry products and in the processing plant environment. The Foundation funded all three studies. The research scientists and studies included:

· Jimmy Keeton, Ph.D. from Texas A & M University, whose research found that an acidified calcium sulfate solution called Safe2O, applied to the surface of frankfurters, produced significant reductions in Listeria monocytogenes and prevented regrowth of the pathogen, keeping the pathogen at the minimum level of detection over a 12-week period.
www.amif.org/PRCalciumSulfateStudy021403.htm

· Michael P. Doyle, Ph.D., director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia-Griffin, whose research found that strains of lactic acid bacteria can inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes when in biofilms for extended periods of time.
www.amif.org/PRLacticAcidStudy021403.htm

· Kalidas Shetty, Ph.D., from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, whose research found that an elite oregano extract with high levels of rosmarinic acid proved effective as an antimicrobial agent against Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat meat and poultry.
www.amif.org/PREliteHerbStudy021403.htm

FUNDING FOR PATHOGEN RESEARCH

Research funding for Listeria monogytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 has been approved through Congress with the passage of the 2003 Omnibus Appropriation bill. The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will receive a $350,000 increase in annual funding for research to control and prevent Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products and E. coli 0157:H7 in raw products, bring the total annual appropriation to the agency to $2.34 million.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Due to a shortage in funding, the Georgia Inspection Department will be charging a flat rate of $28 per hour for voluntary inspection, overtime and holidays. There will be a 2-hour minimum charge. This was to start January 2003.

In order to help in getting the funds back in the budget, you may want to write to your legislator to establish your position on this matter.

TYSON INTRODUCES RETAIL BEEF AND PORK CUTS ON WEST COAST

Tyson Foods has introduced a broad selection of individually frozen, ready-to-cook beef and pork cuts in supermarkets in California, Washington and Oregon. The new products come in easy-open resealable packages. “Our new individually frozen steaks, roasts and pork chops will complement our already popular ready-to-cook frozen chicken items, giving families even more choice in serving nutritious and great tasting meals quickly.”

Tyson’s new lineup of beef cuts include a Flat Iron Grill, Center Fillet and Medallion Roast. The new frozen pork entrees, all made from the loin, come in three varieties: Stuffed, Breaded and Lemon Pepper.

CONAGRA NICHE MARKETING OF NEW PRODUCTS

ConAgra Foods, Inc. plans to build its grocery products business via acquisitions and divestitures, as well as new food products targeting Hispanics and health-oriented customers.

Chris Klinefelter, vice president for investor relations, stated that in the year ahead, ConAgra plans to earn 90 percent of its operating income from branded, packaged foods. “We want to have our capital invested in branded, value-added food,” CEO, Bruce Rhode said.

BEEF AND PORK CHECKOFF PROGRAMS GETTING CHECKED OUT

An appeal on a ruling challenging the constitutionality of the beef checkoff has been scheduled for a hearing March 10. On March 14, oral arguments in a challenge to the constitutionality of the pork checkoff will be heard. A principal argument raised by the defenders of both the beef and pork checkoff in the appeal is that the checkoff is “government speech”.

BEEF PRICES MAY SURGE TO RECORD HIGH

Consumers should expect to pay higher prices for beef at the supermarket this year and slightly more for pork, poultry and eggs as well, an Agriculture Department economist said Friday.

Shayle D. Shagan said the price of beef this year likely will surpass the record high price of $3.45 per pound that consumers paid in April 2001, primarily because of the shrinking supply. Beef sold for an average of $3.26 per pound last year.

The beef supply has thinned as ranchers reduced their herds to protect themselves from losses because of the drought plaguing much of the West. They also had to pay higher prices for feed last year. Hog farmers have pulled back on production, too, but primarily because market prices for hogs fell last year.

USING THE INTERNET

How do small businesses really use the Internet? Small business with Internet connections report they spend an average of 2.6 hours daily using the Internet for business purposes, while 34 percent say they exchange e-mail with customers at least once a day, according to the fourth annual Small Business Internet Survey sponsored by Verizon. Small businesses also use the Internet to develop their business knowledge. During a three-month period, small businesses reported using the Internet to locate companies, supplies and vendors; research other businesses; and to receive business-related newsletters.

DID YOU KNOW????

Professionals spend an average of 23 hours per week in meetings.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

National Restaurant Association
Restaurant-Hotel-Motel-Show
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
May 17-20, 2003
For Information Call NRA at 312.580.5410

SEMA Board Meeting
Comfort Inn & Conference Center
Valdosta, GA
March 15, 2003 9:30 a.m.

Southeastern Meat Association
Annual Convention
"Do You Hear, What I Hear"
Marriott Riverfront
Savannah GA.
June 13-15, 2003

THINGS TO PONDER……………..

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

PROCESSING

Dale Travis Executive Vice President Travis Meats, Inc. Powell, TN 865.938.9051

ASSOCIATE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

We would like to wish Nicky Dronoff-Guthrie, our SEMA webmaster, a
Very Happy Birthday
A surprise party was held for her on February 23, 2003, to honor her big day.

RETIRING

As many of you already know, Dr. Estes Reynolds is scheduled to retire at the end of
February after more than 25 years of dedicated service to the University of Georgia Dept. of Food Science and Technology, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the food industry in Georgia.

KNOW YOUR ASSOCIATES

Steve Gulledge, President
Continental Brokerage Corporation
5760 Carmichael Parkway
P.O. Box 11285
Montgomery, AL
Telephone: 334.277.2896
Fax: 334.277.2931
E-Mail: beeftrader@aol.com

April 1, 2003, will mark 25 years that he has operated this business as a full service beef brokerage firm representing packers nationwide and specializing in sales of fresh and frozen domestic boneless beef and beef trimmings and frozen imported boneless beef for further processing, fabricated cow and steer cuts, variety meats for domestic use and export worldwide, raw materials for pet food production and specialty beef items for pharmaceutical production. We enjoy an excellent relationship with both national and regional beef packers and processors throughout the country and have successfully marketed in excess of 2.5 billion pounds of product.

Please contact Steve Gulledge at Continental Brokerage Corporation via telephone, fax, or e-mail for any needs you may have in quality beef items. We pride ourselves in accurate and current market knowledge and superior service to our clients and it would be our pleasure to serve you.

Robert McCormick
Sales Representative
Globe Casing
198 Route 46 East
Lodi, NJ 07644
Main Office: 888-211-0989
Fax: 973.777.5338
Bob Telephone: 770.938.7708
Bob Cell Phone: 770.364.3012

Globe Casing was founded in the early 1950’s in the Bronx of New York to provide the meat industry with a dependable selection of natural casing. In the early 1970’s we moved to our present location in Lodi, NJ. Over the years we have added to our product line other lines of casings to include Fibrous, Moisture Proof Fibrous, Collagen, Cellulose (skinless), and most recently a complete line of plastic casing. We have a department that will cut, cap and loop the various colors of fibrous and plastic casings to your specifications; also these casings can be shirred. The plastic casings use the flexo technique printing up to 6 colors. For our customers’ convenience, we also carry a line of stockinetts, elastic netting, and twine, making us your ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR CASING NEEDS.