SEMA_________________________________

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

FSIS TO HOLD RISK-BASED INSPECTION PUBLIC MEETING

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will hold a two-day public meeting, October 10-11, 2006, to review and discuss issues relating to a risk-based inspection system (RBIS).

The agenda includes discussions of the following issues:

• Measuring establishment risk control for risk-based inspection.
• Measuring product inherent risk for risk-based inspection.
  FSIS will begin a discussion on how these two measures of risk might be used to implement RBIS.

In October, FSIS will present some ideas about how the Agency can develop measures of inherent food safety risk for federally inspected meat and poultry processing establishments and to solicit stakeholder input on the subject. FSIS will also accept stakeholder input on how to measure establishment control of risk. Finally, FSIS will accept stakeholder input on how the two measures of risk might be used to implement RBIS.

Comments may be submitted either electronically to RiskBasedInspection@fsis.usda.gov or by fax at (202) 690-6519.

SANITATION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

FSIS (Notice 62-06) has posted answers to commonly asked questions about the Sanitation Performance Standards. FSIS received these questions from small and very small plants. This is the first of a series of question and answer documents that respond to frequently asked questions that FSIS receives from small and very small plants. The answers to the questions are on the Technical Service Center Question and Answer page at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/HELP/FAQs_TSC/index.asp

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MEAT & POULTRY INSPECTION TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS

The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will meet Oct. 12 and 13, 2006, to review and discuss several issues related to risk-based inspection.

Agenda items will include:
Using Risk to Direct In-Plant Inspection Activities; and
Using Risk in Slaughter Operations

The NACMPI was established in 1971 to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding meat and poultry inspection programs. The committee, which generally meets twice a year, addresses food safety and policy issues affecting USDA.

PLANT CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

In pre-HACCP days, the Food Safety & Inspection Service approved facilities using the USDA Handbook 570 for new construction and the Small, Existing Plant Handbook. The agency, no longer approving blueprints, has put on-line a downloaded 18 page USDA/NCDA & Consumer Services Facility Guidelines for Meat & Poultry Plants. You can download a copy by going to: www.ncagr.com/vet/meat_poultry/pdf/Facility%20Guidelines.pdf.

FSIS ISSUES NOTICE ON PROCEDURES FOR E.COLI VERIFICATION

Due to an increase in positive E.coliO157:H7 from ground beef samples, Notice 63-06 has been issued and establishments that test raw beef products for E.coliO157:H7 or receive presumptive or positive products can expect inspectors to conduct these activities at anytime.

The Notice covers three verification activities:

• Verification that the establishment took action in the event of increases in E.coliO157:H7
  incidence rates.
• Verification that the establishment has documented proper control and disposition of
  presumptive or positive products.
• Verification that, if an establishment receives presumptive or positive products, it has
  handled the products so that they have received an adequate lethality.
  Notice 63-06 can be reviewed at www.fsis.usda.gov.

FALL ROUNDUP & TASTE OF ALABAMA AGRICULTURE

Auburn University's largest tailgate party-the 27th annual Fall Roundup and Taste of Alabama Agriculture is to be held Oct. 21 at AU's Ag Heritage Park. During the event, visitors can sample many of Alabama's finest agricultural products-from meats to fruits and vegetables. They also can view exhibits and displays by student organizations and departments within the College of Agriculture, listen to live music presented by Ag related faculty and friends and enjoy children's activities and visits from Aubie, the AU Pep Band and the AU Cheerleaders. Auctions, both live and silent, are a major focal point of the morning activities, offering everything from products to lawn equipment.

Monies raised from these auctions provide much-needed scholarship support for deserving students in the College of Agriculture. This event, which is co sponsored by the College of Agriculture and the AU Agricultural Alumni Association, will be held on Oct. 21 (AU's Homecoming weekend) from 9 a.m. to noon at Ag Heritage Park, a historic green space and recreational site located on the corner of Samford Avenue and Donahue Drive in Auburn.

Ag related businesses and organizations are invited to set up exhibits at the event. There is no fee for participation and each exhibitor will be provided approximately 15 feet of setup space, a table and chairs (No product sales are allowed but samples of products may be offered.) The deadline for reserving a booth is Oct. 12. Donations of auction items are also welcome. Admission is $5.00 for adults and no charge for children under six.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Elaine Rollo at 334 844 3204 or rollome@auburn.edu.

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THINGS TO PONDER………………
The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides,
never decides.
Henri-Frederic Amiel, educator
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SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

Jamison Door, Joe Clark has retired and Jamison Door has a new representative.
Nicholas Austin Brown Company, Inc.
1100 Pointe Newport Terrace, Suite 202
Casselberry, FL 32707
Nick Brown.
Phone: 407-657-6700 Fax: 407-679-0071
Cell: 407-921-7422 E-mail: Nabco8@aol.com

WELCOME NEW SEMA MEMBER

Processing Member
Brooks Food Group, Inc.
2701 Simpson Street
Monroe, NC 28112
704.282.1742
John Schultz, Q.A./F.S.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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and profit growth than companies that do not.