SEMA_________________________________

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

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING FOR SEAFOOD

The Country of origin labeling (COOL) went into effect for seafood September 30th. COOL calls for retail supermarkets to label product with the country it is from and if it is wild or farmed. The only problem is the Department of Agriculture did not have the final rules published when COOL went into effect. For this reason the rules will either not be enforced or will be minimally enforced the first year.

Under the interim rules, fish caught at sea by a U.S. flag vessel will count as American, while those caught by boats of other countries will come under those nation’s flags. COOL goes into effect for meat and poultry September 30, 2006.

NUTRITION LABELING ON MEAL TYPE PRODUCTS

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its nutrition labeling regulations to change the definition of “meal-type” products to allow for nutrient content claims on multiple-serve food containers, to adopt the definition of “main dish” used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and to define how meal-type products and main dishes should be nutrition labeled.

The change in the definition of meal –type products will allow nutrient content claims on qualifying products to be based on 100 grams of product rather than on the serving size, which is based on the Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (RACCs) for the food components. These actions are in response to a petition filed by ConAgra, Inc. (the petitioner). The changes will help to ensure that FSIS nutrition labeling regulations are parallel, to the maximum extent possible, to the nutrition labeling regulations of FDA, which were promulgated under the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990. The final rule will provide consumers of meat and poultry products with consistency in nutrition labeling. This regulation goes into effect November 30, 2004.

FSIS FORM FOR RTE PRODUCTS

Establishments that produce ready to eat products that are regulated under 9 CFR part 430 are required to complete the FSIS Form 10,240-1, Production Information on Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-to-Eat Products.

Your inspector will notify you about the form and you will have 30 days to complete and submit the form. If you fail to submit the form or do not show indication of submitting the form the Agency may seek enforcement action.

The form is available on the FSIS website: www.fsis.usda.gov/Forms/index.asp

CHECK 21

The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act or Check 21 law will take effect October 28th.

Banks will be able to replace original paper checks with substitute checks made from digital copies of your original check. Check 21 is supposed to make check processing faster and cost efficient. Substitute checks are legal copies and will no longer be returned with your monthly bank statements. Check 21 requires banks to tell you what they plan to do if you currently receive canceled checks with your monthly statements.

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In 2003, there were 20.6 million uninsured full-time workers in the United States
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DEVASTATING HURRICANES

From the cattle pastures to shredded ferneries, Florida’s Agriculture has an estimated $2 billion loss. Approximately 80% of the state's 1.2 million cattle have been affected by the storms.

It has been devastating to see, read and be a part of the hurricane season this year. Florida has been hit tremendously hard, with four hurricanes in six weeks. Other southern states have felt the wrath of the storms as well. Most of SEMA’s southeast members have come through without much damage, but it has had an affect on their businesses, with disruption to schedules, power outages, fuel shortages and repairs to buildings, along with employees not able to get to work and having their own hurricane problems at home. Tourism is down and people are leery about replenishing their refrigerators and freezers.

To help the people and economy of Florida, the USDA assistance has set up a disaster food stamp program, giving more than $54.9 million in replacement food stamp benefits and more than 2.5 million pounds of USDA commodities.

The good thing that may have come from this is people pulling together to help one another. It was a learning experience with each hurricane on how to better prepare for a disaster. This will help in times of other disruptions or disasters.

In Florida, we all agree air conditioning is the best thing ever invented and water is a great comfort food.

SEMA WORKSHOP

The Southeastern Meat Association “Meat Processing 101” workshop has been canceled. The workshop was to be held at the University of Florida in Gainesville, October 22 & 23. Due to the hurricanes and now the clean up and business schedules, it is best the workshop be scheduled for a later date.

The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley’s gum

MAIL ORDER SHIPPING TIPS

Consumers are more likely to buy a product with a recognizable name. A good brand is one that carries quality and value with every purchase. Mail order is one way a customer can receive the brand of product they prefer year round. The way shipments are packaged can determine if they arrive on time and in proper condition.

Following are some tips provided by AAMP and DHL (Airborne Express)

HELPFUL HINTS:

• Verify recipient’s address and ZIP code is complete, correct and legible.
• Remember only the United State Postal Service can deliver to P.O. boxes
• Always make sure shipping boxes are in good shape
• Wrap fragile materials individually, so they do not touch
• Add an extra address label inside the package-even the stickiest labels can come off
• Remove old address/shipping labels from your packages to prevent any confusion
• Use heavy-duty packing tape to securely close and seal your package
• Send critical shipments early. Most air express companies guarantee on-time delivery
• Unfortunately, the best laid plans can be thwarted by Mother Nature

THINGS TO AVOID

• Damaged containers
• Exceeding the weight specification of the shipment container
• Use of wrapping paper, string and cellophane or masking tape
• Allowing packages to get wet while awaiting the pickup
• Including any information indicating high value of contents on the address label or outer package, as this may increase the propensity for theft
• Shipping cash or currency

INDUSTRY ANNOUCEMENTS

Jacksonville based Winn Dixie Stores has sold its Dixie Packers facility in Madison County, FL to Smithfield Packing Co., which will now supply the over 1,000 Winn Dixie stores in 12 states.

Central Florida Foodservice, LLC has been formed by Michael Altif and Michael Strauss. Altif, as President, will have operational responsibility and Strauss, as Chairman, will operate in an advisory and support role. Altif has been in the foodservice supply to the food industry for over 26 years, as co-founder of AEW North America Ltd. (now AEW Thurne Inc.) and continues to serve as Chairman of that company. Central Florida Foodservice operates a USDA-approved and inspected meat processing facility and serves the Central Florida market specializing in ‘center-of-the-plate’ meat, poultry and seafood products.

SEMA FAMILY NEWS

Congratulations go out to SEMA Associate member, Karla Weiszer of Wolfson Casing and Tom Topkoff on their marriage September 5th. Karla and Tom said their vows in front of family and a few friends with a dinner reception following.

UPDATE YOUR SEMA FILES

Hendon & Redmond has moved to:

10816 Millington Court, Suite 110
Cincinnati, OH 45242

P: 513.641.0320 F: 513.641.0057
The new contact person for Hendon & Redmond will be Danielle Davis
Danielle’s e-mail address is danielledavis@hendonredmond.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Southeastern Food Processors Association Conference Hilton Hotel November 4-6 Charleston, S.C.

University of Florida HACCP Training course Cabot Lodge, Gainesville, FL Nov. 11 & 12

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THINGS TO PONDER ……………………
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
Will Rogers…
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