SEMA_________________________________

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

NEW FOOD SAFETY INSTITUTE

FSIS has established the Food Safety Institute of the Americas. The Institute will be located in Miami, Florida. This location will enhance the Institute’s ability to bring together experts quickly and to develop and carry out programs efficiently. Under Secretary for Food Safety, Dr. Murano, said “This Institute will become a forum for scientific discussion and educational opportunities for government and industry in all countries to improve the safety of imported and exported meat, poultry and egg products.” Linda Swacina, the deputy administrator of FSIS, will serve as the senior agency representative and federal coordinator of all FSIA activities.

CONSUMER’S CONFIDENT IN U.S. FOOD SUPPLY

A Gallup poll released in August reported that more than 85% of Americans are more confident in the federal government’s food safety programs today than they were just a few years ago. There may be a reason for the confidence as the Center for Disease Control has reported a 36% decrease in the number of illness caused by E.Coli:O157:H7 and a 62% decrease in the number of ground beef regulatory samples testing positive for E.Coli:O157:H7.

FSIS WEB SITE

The 2003 Salmonella test results are now on the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website. FSIS released regulatory sampling data showing a downward trend in positive tests for Salmonella. Since 2000, all meat and poultry plants have been subject to Salmonella testing.

NEW FDA DIRECTOR

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) has appointed Leslye Fraser, S.M., J.D., as the Director of the Office of Regulations and Policy. Ms Fraser will start her new position on September 5, 2004.

OVERTIME REGULATIONS

The Labor Department has put into effect new overtime rules in the Fair Labor Standards Act. There are three criteria.

1. Salary-basis: In order to be exempt from overtime, workers must be paid a set salary (not hourly).
2. Salary-level: In order to be exempt from overtime, workers must earn a minimum salary of $455 a week or $23,660 a year. White-collar workers earning over $100,000 a year are automatically exempt.
3. Administrative, Professional, and Executive: These jobs were exempt from overtime, but now there is new clarification to the type of work done under these titles.

Check with the Labor Department for more information.

Time-and-a-half pay accounts for 25% of total income of those who work overtime.

UPDATE YOUR RECORDS

E.Coli: O157:H7

If you missed one of the USDA workshops on the new E.Coli: O157:H7 Regulations, you can get the workshop material off the Internet.
Log onto: www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/meetings_&_events/index.asp

Recalls

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a revised recall worksheet for Recalls Directive 8080.1. The worksheet is a Revised Version form that FSIS uses to gather information on a recall.
For a copy log onto: www.meatami.com/recall%20worksheets.doc

WANT TO BE HEARD?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). Membership is made up of processors, producers, importers and exporters of meat and poultry products. The committee meets at least twice a year with each member serving a two-year term. The committee advises and makes recommendations to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman on inspection issues. Applications are available online.
www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/NACMPI/Nominations.htm

Approximately 70% of all jobs are found through networking.

PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS

In order to keep your business meetings productive, use these tips.

1. Have only the people that need to be there. This will keep people from being resentful of their wasted time as you cover areas that do not really involve them.
2. Start your meeting on time. If you are waiting on a person this sends a message to the people who arrived on time that their time is not valuable.
3. Keep your meeting on schedule. When a 30 minute meeting turns into 60 minutes, due to not staying with the agenda, people are going to dread it and look for reasons not to attend.

HURRICANE CHARLEY

Hurricane Charley arrived in Punta Gorda, then traveled through Florida exiting in Daytona Beach, visiting some of the SEMA members along the way. A few had minor damages to their homes and/or businesses but one SEMA member was not as lucky. Manfred Kallnischkies of Kallis German Butcher Shop in Port Charlotte said, “We are temporarily out of business”. They have to repair the roof, clean up from the wind and water damages and will have to replace some of their equipment. Manfred says he plans to be back in business by October 1. The SEMA family wishes Manfred and his staff the best in their recovery.

With thousands of people without power and many without homes, the generosity of Smithfield Packing in Plant City, Florida was very much appreciated. Smithfield donated some 140,000 pounds of variety lunchmeats to hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast.

SEMA FAMILY NEWS

Frank Thomas from Thomas Packing Company passed away on August 13, 2004. Frank was a World War II veteran, serving under General George Patton. In 1948 Frank, his father and brothers, Billy and George Jr., founded Thomas Packing Company in Griffin, Georgia, which operated under their ownership until its sale in 2003. Frank was very involved in his community and will be greatly missed. Frank is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce. Condolences may be sent to: Joyce Thomas, 1115 Pine Valley Road, Griffin, GA 30224

UPDATE YOUR FILES

Alcan Packaging, Frank Mc David has a new e-mail address, frank.mcdavid@alcan.com

SEMA WORKSHOP

The Southeastern Meat Association and The University of Florida have teamed up to bring the industry a very affordable, “Meat Processing 101” workshop. This is a great opportunity to make an investment in your people. Dr. Terry Houser recently came to UF from Iowa State and will be in charge of the workshop program. The workshop will be held on the University of Florida campus, October 22 & 23. Lodging will be at the Cabot Lodge in Gainesville, Florida. The workshop information packets are in the mail. The workshop information will also be available on the SEMA website or you may call the SEMA office at 407.365.5661.
The workshop will cost SEMA members $100.00 per person, with discounts for 2nd and 3rd persons from the same company. The price will include the program and some meals. Thanks to our sponsors we are able to bring this workshop to you at a minimal charge. Sponsors:

Letter from Dr. Terry Houser, UF

Dear Southeastern Meat Association Members,

I am very pleased to inform you that I have recently started my new position as Extension Meat Specialist at the University of Florida. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with the Southeastern Meat Association on educational programs and to serve as a technical resource. In addition, I would like to personally invite you to the SEMA meat processing workshop to be held on October 22nd and 23rd at the University of Florida in Gainesville. This workshop will contain a wealth of knowledge for those processors manufacturing further processed meat items. Not only will this be a chance for you to learn from some of the foremost authorities on meat processing in the Southeast, but it will give you a chance to network with other meat processors who may be dealing with similar issues. I do hope you will consider attending this workshop, as I am sure it will be well worth your time and money to attend. If you have any questions regarding the workshop please give me a call or send me an e-mail.

Sincerely,
Terry A Houser Ph.D.
Extension Meat Specialist
University of Florida
houser@animal.ufl.edu
352.392.2454

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THINGS TO PONDER ……………………
Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SEMA Workshop “Meat Processing 101” University of Florida October 22-23 Gainesville, FL

Florida Restaurant Show Orange County Convention Center September 10-12 Orlando, FL

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