SEMA_________________________________

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

SEMA 2009 Convention

The Shores Resort & Spa
Daytona Beach, FL
June 11-13, 2009

“Opening New Doors”

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

E. coli Mini-Conference

SEMA will be one of six other leading meat industry associations sponsoring the E. coli O157:H7 mini-conference, Thursday, March 26, at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL. The half-day session will be Thursday from 12:00 pm - 5:45 pm. This high-intensity workshop is designed to help beef processors prepare for the critical challenges they face in 2009. For more information contact the NAMP office 703.758.1900.

NEW DIRECTIVES

FSIS Directive 10,240.4 Rev 2 - Link: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/10240.4Rev2.pdf
Verification Procedures for Consumer Safety Inspectors for the Listeria monocytogenes Regulation and Introduction of Phase 2 of the LM Risk-based Verification Testing Program

FSIS Directive 10,240.5 Rev 2 - Link: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/10240.5Rev2.pdf
Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officer (EIAO) Assessment of Compliance with the Listeria monocytogenes (LM) Regulation and Introduction of Phase 2 of the LM Risk-based Verification Testing Program

FSIS Directive 10,300.1 - Link: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/10300.1.pdf
Intensified Verification Testing (IVT) Protocol for Sampling of Product, Food Contact Surfaces and Enironmental Surfaces for Listeria Monocytogenes

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Things to Ponder . . . . . . . . .
If you eat Healthy Choice ice cream,
how much can you eat before it is not healthy?
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FSIS-ASK: Directive 5000.4 – Scope Of Pre-op Inspection

Question:
1. Does this directive limit inspectors to only looking at food contact surfaces while doing pre-op in processing?

Answer:
1. No, this does not change the inspector's evaluation of an insanitary condition. If during the performance of pre-op sanitation verification, FSIS inspection personnel observe an insanitary condition on non-food contact surfaces, he/she is to document it under 06D01.

REGULATORY EDUCATION SESSION

Small and very small plant owners and operators are invited to join FSIS inspection personnel at regulatory education sessions. The workshops will include a walk-through of a variety of topics, which may include HACCP, Sanitation Performance Standards, Sanitation SOPs, Rules of Practice, Food Defense strategies, E. coli 0157:H7 workshops. To register call 800.336.3747 or for online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions go to: www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events.

Controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in Poultry Plants
* Raleigh, NC
Hotel: To be determined
March 19, 2009 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

SEMA MEMBER NEWS

Kopco Graphics is very proud of its team of employees and recognized Mike Hadsell in their monthly newsletter. Mike Hadsell is Sales Manager for the Florida plant. Mike is a very amiable and outgoing person with tremendous talent and a great Sales Manager for Kopco Graphics. Mike is also a Commercial Pilot and founder of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue.

University of Georgia’s Dr. Karina Martino had a little girl Valentines Day. Emma Lucia Martino and her mother are doing well.

WELCOME SEMA MEMBERS

Danisco USA has a comprehensive range of ingredients that ensure meat, seafood and poultry products have the right color, texture, shelf-life, safety and nutritional profile - whether they are traditional products, products low in fat or salt, ethnic foods or convenient ready meals. Improved processing and cost efficiency are also part of the equation.

A modern meat technology center in Denmark and laboratories in the USA and China are equipped with the latest equipment for realistic simulation of industrial processes. The meat technology laboratories are supplemented by Danisco's textural evaluation facilities, microbiological laboratory and in-house taste panel.

To learn more about Danisco’s ingredients for meat, poultry and seafood, please visit danisco.com or contact the southeast Account Manager, Michael Eliasen at 913.738.3472 or 800.255.6837 ext.3472.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS