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Also, old newsletters will be archived here, so that you can reference any article or information you need from previous SEMA newsletters.

* Please note that the 2007 Convention information is on the Conventions page.

SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2008                                  VOLUME 23, No. 4

SEMA CONVENTION

Mark your calendars for you won’t want to miss the SEMA Convention,
Trends --> Changes --> Opportunity
The Club @ Hammock Beach
Palm Coast, FL
June 6th & 7th

Convention information and registration forms are available on the Conventions Page.

Visit the resort at www.hammockbeach.com

The convention will benefit owners, top management and sales associates.

The convention will open Friday June 6th at 10 a.m., with SEMA Associate members exhibiting the latest in trends and technology.

The programs will include a regulatory update from NAMP’s Ann Wells; The National Pork Board will introduce new product ideas and marketing tools you and your customers can benefit from; and Mintel’s Marketing and Research, Lynn Dornblaser, will put you on the cutting edge when she shares consumer trends, packaging, business opportunities and more.

Waste-water is always a problem in processing plants, but Peter Cartwright can help you solve those problems. Peter will be touching on preparing waste-water for discharge to POTWs (municipal treatment plants) and incoming water treatment (for processing, etc.).

Citizens Financial Partner's Ken Calhoon will tell us how to prevent business and identity theft.

SEMA members, CDC Software and Aspen Systems, will show us how the right computer software can make our jobs easier and cost effective. CDC’s Jonathan Cowan will touch on the importance and ease of product traceability. Aspen System’s John Reynolds will keep you competitive, with their cost and yield management software.

Are you thinking about succession planning? Are you looking for leadership within your company? Jeff Faulkner of the Rawls Group will tell us what to look for and how to pick the right people.

There will be time for fun and sun, pool side, on the beach, or enjoy the European-style spa. If golf is your sport, the SEMA golf tournament will be held Saturday on the beautiful and challenging, Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course.

In place of the scholarship auction, your $40.00 donation will go to the scholarship fund. You will dine on the 117 ft. Sundance yacht down the inter-coastal waterway. The reception and dinner are included in your registration.

SEMA A SPONSOR FOR RMC

The University of Florida will be hosting the American Meat Science Association, Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) this June in Gainesville, Florida. The Southeastern Meat Association will be a silver sponsor for the event. The Reciprocal Meat Conference is the annual meeting of the American Meat Science Association and features the latest research findings in a wide spectrum of topics. Over 600 professional and student members are expected from across the United States.

RMC and the host committee at the University are looking for Southeastern meat industry leaders that might be interested in donating locally-made products for the Sunday evening welcome reception (Sunday, June 22). Dwain Johnson is coordinating that effort on campus. If you are interested, get in touch with Dwain by e-mailing dwainj@ufl.edu or calling 352.392.1922.

AMERICAN MEAT SCIENCE WORKSHOP

The American Meat Science is offering a QA 101 workshop in Gainesville, Florida June 21st and 22nd. The course will include the following topics:

• Introduction to QA Philosophy
• Product Quality Principles
• Collection and Use of Data
• Regulatory Issues
• Preparing for Audits
• Food Safety Concerns
• Shelf Life Issues

More information on the workshop can be found at www.qa101.org or www.meatscience.org.

NEW FSIS OFFICE FOR SMALL PLANTS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a new program office dedicated to supporting the agency's continued efforts in outreach to small and very small plants and education of FSIS personnel.

The Office of Outreach, Employee Education and Training (OOEET) will provide consolidated access, resources and technical support for small and very small plants to better assist them in providing safe and wholesome meat, poultry and processed egg products. This program area also will ensure that all FSIS personnel have the necessary training to effectively carry out their assigned duties. OOEET will collaborate with state inspection programs to share training materials, provide technical advice and conduct outreach activities.

Dr. Karlease Kelly is heading up the new FSIS Outreach Office. Dr. Kelly has been with FSIS for nearly fourteen years serving in a number of capacities including working on the training staff as a trainer, working at the Technical Service Center as a program analyst, and most recently serving as the Agency’s Chief Training Officer.

FSIS MEETING TO DISCUSS WAYS TO REDUCE E. COLI O157:H7

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will hold a public meeting to discuss challenges and proposed solutions in moving forward to address recalls and illnesses related to E. coli O157:H7, April 9th and 10th in Washington DC. "The last significant positive changes in the reduction of food borne illness and positive product tests attributed to E. coli O157:H7 occurred early in this decade but we have since hit a plateau. It is time for another series of bold, strong moves based on knowledge and science to produce further significant reductions in illnesses attributed to the products we regulate," said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond.

FSIS ASK

Get answers to your questions. Log onto www.fsis.usda.gov and go to FSIS Ask.

Applicability of Grinding Raw Beef with an Instructional Statement for E.coli O157:H7
Question: If an establishment labels raw beef product with an instructional statement addressing E. coli O157:H7 (e.g., "for cooking only"), can the establishment send the labeled product to a grinder that does not cook the product if the grinder subsequently sends the product to a cooking establishment? In this situation, the grinder would own the product first, and the cooking establishment would next own the product. In this situation, the product is not positive for E. coli O157:H7.

Answer: No. This is not allowed because when FSIS approves the use of instructional statements addressing E. coli O157:H7, FSIS specifies that such statements can only be used on products destined for official establishments that ensure these products receive adequate lethality treatment. In the situation above, the grinder does not ensure that the product receives adequate lethality.

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Things to Ponder . . . . . . . . .
Anger is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind.

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REGULATORY EDUCATION SESSION

Small and very small plant owners and operators are invited to join FSIS inspection personnel at regulatory education sessions to bring industry and inspection personnel together to promote a uniform understanding of the regulations.

To register call 800.336.3747 or for online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions go to:http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/index.asp.

E.coli O157:H7 Outreach Workshop
These sessions will cover Prerequisite Programs and FSIS Notices 65-07, 66-07 and 68-07 (PDF Only Links).

Raleigh, NC | Register
Thursday May 1, 2008
6:30 PM- 8:30 PM Holiday Inn Crabtree Valley
4100 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27612

Raleigh, NC | Register
Tuesday July 15, 2008
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Holiday Inn Crabtree Valley
4100 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27612

Regulatory Web Seminars
The seminars will be conducted via Net Meeting. Net Meeting uses internet access for viewing the presentation and a phone line for the audio portion. Online registration forms are provided (valid email address required). Pre-registration is required. Upon registration, a seminar representative will contact you with instructions on joining the event. Email questions to netmeetingseminars@fsis.usda.gov.

Methods To Ensure Effective Sanitation in Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Establishments | Register
This seminar will emphasize methods that small and very small meat, poultry, and egg products establishments can implement to ensure effective sanitation, and thus safer product for consumers.
April 16, 2008 Speaker: Mr. Robert Savage, HACCP Consulting Group

SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

SEMA members, if you have a press release, something to share or information to up-date, please send it to the SEMA office and it will be posted at no charge. Example, new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc.

Winpak: Nick Polgardi is the new Georgia/Florida salesman. You can get in touch with Nick by
e-mailing nick.polgardi@wd.winpak.com or by calling 770.789.0097.

WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE SEMA MEMBERS

Food Wholesalers Inc.
P. O. Box 13637
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
727.894.5751
Jim Anson

Primus Builders, Inc.
8294 Highway 92
Suite 210
Woodstock, GA 30189
770.928.7120 ext. 243
Russ Cudmore

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Companies that invest in employee learning have higher productivity, revenue growth,
and profit growth than companies that do not.

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES:

When a newsletter is published, the past issue will be placed on its own page in the archives. Archive files will be listed below, most recent first. Each archive file will open in its own window and will be printer-ready. Just close the newsletter window to return to the SEMA web site.

• APRIL 2008, VOLUME 23, No.4: Industry Updates, Convention news, New Members (Primus Builders, Inc., Food Wholesalers Inc.)
• MARCH 2008, VOLUME 23, No 3: Industry Updates
• FEBRUARY 2008, VOLUME 23, No.2: Industry Updates, New Member Highlight (White Oaks Pastures, Inc.)
• JANUARY 2008, VOLUME 23, No.1: Industry Updates, New Member (White Oaks Pastures, Inc.), Member Highlights(ELISA Technologies, CDC Software-Ross Enterprise)
• DECEMBER 2007, VOLUME 22, No.12: Industry Updates, New Member (ELISA Technologies)
• NOVEMBER 2007, VOLUME 22, No.11: Industry Updates, New Member (CDC Software-Ross Enterprise), New Member Highlight (Insurance Office of America)
• OCTOBER 2007, VOLUME 22, No.10: Industry Updates
• SEPTEMBER 2007, VOLUME 22, No.9: Industry Updates, New Member (Insurance Office of America (IOA)
• AUGUST 2007, VOLUME 22, No.8: Industry Updates, Convention Highlights, New Member (Aspen Systems, Inc.)
• JULY 2007, VOLUME 22, No.7: Industry Updates, Convention Highlights, New Members (Pro-Food Sales, Inc, World Casing Corp, Casing Associates)
• JUNE 2007, VOLUME 22, No.6: Industry Updates, Convention Info., New Member Highlights (Advanced Surfaces Corp., Innovative Labeling Solutions )
• MAY 2007, VOLUME 22, No.5: Industry Updates, Convention Info., New Members (Royal Foods of Alabama, Advanced Surfaces Corp., Innovative Labeling Solutions, VC999 Packaging Systems)
• APRIL 2007, VOLUME 22, No.4: Industry Updates, New Member Highlights (Rocket City Meats, Florida Marking Products)
• MARCH 2007, VOLUME 22, No 3: Industry Updates, New Members (Rocket City Meats & Seafood, VC999 Packaging Systems).
• FEBRUARY 2007, VOLUME 22, No 2: Industry Updates
• JANUARY 2007, VOLUME 22, No 1: Industry Updates, New Member (Cordray’s Venison Processing).
• DECEMBER 2006, VOLUME 21, No 12: Industry Updates, Board Meeting Update
• NOVEMBER 2006, VOLUME 21, No 11: Industry Updates, New Member Highlight (Brooks Food Group, Inc.).
• OCTOBER 2006, VOLUME 21, No 10: Industry Updates, New Member (Brooks Food Group, Inc.).
• JULY/AUGUST 2006, VOLUME 21, No 7-8: Industry Updates, New Member (American Risk Management Inc.), New Member Highlights (Ossid MH, Dade Service Corp.).
• JUNE 2006, VOLUME 21, No 6: Industry Updates, New Members (The Supply Source, Ossid MH, Michigan Food Equipment, Dade Service Corp., Loin Meats, FPL Food LLC).
• MAY 2006, VOLUME 21, No 5: Industry Updates, Member highlight (ULMA PACKAGING SYSTEMS, INC., KALMAN FLOOR COMPANY).
• APRIL 2006, VOLUME 21, No 4: Industry Updates, New Member (ULMA PACKAGING SYSTEMS, INC.).
• MARCH 2006, VOLUME 21, No 3: Industry Updates.
• FEBRUARY 2006, VOLUME 21, No 2: Industry Updates, New Member (KARL SCHNELL, INC.).
• JANUARY 2006, VOLUME 21, No 1: Industry Updates, New Member (KALMAN FLOOR COMPANY), Member Highlight (CALIHAN PORK PROCESSORS).
• DECEMBER 2005, VOLUME 20, No 12: Industry Updates, New Members (Calihan Pork Processors, Country Meats, Karl Schnell, Inc.)
• NOVEMBER 2005, VOLUME 20, No 11: Industry Updates
• OCTOBER 2005, VOLUME 20, No 10: Industry Updates
• SEPTEMBER 2005, VOLUME 20, No 9: Industry Updates
• AUGUST 2005, VOLUME 20, No 8: Industry Updates, New Members (DEL PUEBLO MEAT MARKET), Member Highlight (CIRCLE A BRANDS, J.E. GROTE COMPANY, OSS SERVICES, LLC, )
• JULY 2005, VOLUME 20, No 7: Industry Updates, Convention summary, New Members (STRIPLING’S GENERAL STORE, CIRCLE A BRANDS, J.E. GROTE COMPANY, OSS SERVICES, LLC, TIPPMANN GROUP, INC.), Member Highlight (AMERITAS GROUP, GLOBAL SENSORS, LLC)
• JUNE 2005, VOLUME 20, No 6: Industry Updates, New Members (AMERITAS GROUP), Member Highlight (ProLabel, Inc., Frank Door Co.)
• MAY 2005, VOLUME 20, No 5: Industry Updates, Convention Updates, New Members (ProLabel, Inc., Global Sensors)
• APRIL 2005, VOLUME 20, No 4: Industry Updates, New Member (Frank Door Co.), New Member Highlights (Engineered Refrigeration Systems)
• MARCH 2005, VOLUME 20, No 3: Industry Updates, New Member (HoneyBaked Ham Co.), New Member Highlights (UniFirst Corp., Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc.)
• FEBRUARY 2005, VOLUME 20, No 2: Industry Updates, New Members (Harmon, Dennis, Bradshaw, Inc., Unifirst Corporation), New Member Highlights (Ingredients Corp. of America)
• JANUARY 2005, VOLUME 20, No 1: Industry Updates, New Member (Ingredients Corp. of America), New Member Highlights (M & Q Packaging, BK Giulini)
• DECEMBER 2004, VOLUME 19, No 12: Industry Updates, New Members (M & Q Packaging, BK Giulini)
• NOVEMBER 2004, VOLUME 19, No 11: Industry Updates
• OCTOBER 2004, VOLUME 19, No 10: Industry Updates
• SEPTEMBER 2004, VOLUME 19, No 9: Industry Updates
• AUGUST 2004, VOLUME 19, No 8: Industry Updates, New Members (The Butcher Shop, Protein Sales, Inc.) Member Highlight (The Stellar Group)
• CONVENTION 2004: Photos and summary from 2004 SEMA convention in Daytona Beach, Florida.
• JULY 2004, VOLUME 19, No 7: Industry Updates, New Members (AZAR & COMPANY SAUSAGE, TOWNSEND ENGINEERING COMPANY) Member Highlight (Express Label)
• JUNE 2004, VOLUME 19, No 6: Industry Updates, New Member (AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS, INC., EXPRESS LABEL CO, THE STELLAR GROUP) New Member Highlight (Insulated Panel Services (IPS) Group of Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI) )
• MAY 2004, VOLUME 19, No 5: Industry Updates, New Member (PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA) New Member Highlight (INTEPLAST GROUP, LTD. IBS DIVISION)
• APRIL 2004, VOLUME 19, No 4: Industry Updates, New Members (INTEPLAST GROUP, LTD. IBS DIVISION, PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING, INC.)
• MARCH 2004, VOLUME 19, No 3: Industry Updates
• FEBRUARY 2004, VOLUME 19, No 2: Industry Updates, New Member Highlight (Kopco Graphics)
• JANUARY 2004, VOLUME 19, No 1: Industry Updates
• DECEMBER 2003, VOLUME 18, No 12: Industry Updates
• NOVEMBER 2003, VOLUME 18, No 11: Industry Updates
• OCTOBER 2003, VOLUME 18, No 10: Meat Industry Updates, New Member Highlights (ECON-O-MARKER, INC., ZEP MANUFACTURING) Member Highlights (Hovus Inc., Skinner Systems Inc.)
• SEPTEMBER 2003, VOLUME 18, No 9: Industry Updates, Member Highlights (DeWied International, Inc.)
• CONVENTION 2003: Photos and summary from 2003 SEMA convention in Savannah, Georgia.
• AUGUST 2003, VOLUME 18, No 8: Meat Industry Updates, New Member Highlights (ATL Industries, Inc., Foss North America), Member Highlights (Doug Jeffords Co., Inc, Harvest Meat Company)
• JULY 2003, VOLUME 18, No.7: Meat Industry Updates, New Member (Foss North America)
• JUNE 2003, VOLUME 18 No.6: Updates, New Members (Bari Italian Foods, Swaggerty Sausage Co)
• MAY 2003, VOLUME 18 No.5: Meat Industry Updates, New Member Highlight (J.M. Exotic Foods), Member Highlight (Nu Products, Engineered Refrigeration Systems)
• APRIL 2003, VOLUME 18 No.4: New Member Highlight (Travis Meats, Inc., Omni Apparel), Member Highlight (All American Seasonings, Inc., Handtmann, Inc.)
• MARCH 2003, VOLUME 18 No.3: New Members (Crider, Inc., Nettles Sausage, Inc., Travis Meats, Inc., Engineered Refrigeration System, Omni Apparel, Rollstock, Inc.), Member Highlight (Continental Brokerage, Globe Casing)
• FEBRUARY 2003, VOLUME 18 No.2: New Member (Nu Products Seas.), Member Highlight (Cryovac)
• JANUARY 2003, VOLUME 18 No.1: Industry Updates, 2002 New Member List
• DECEMBER 2002, VOLUME 17 No.13: Member highlights (Pechiney Plastics)
• NOVEMBER 2002, VOLUME 17 No.12: Member highlights (Poly-Clip, Robert Reiser), New member (Federal Technical Services)
• OCTOBER 2002, VOLUME 17 No. 11: Member highlights (Wampler's Farm Sausage, Chilton Consulting)
• SEPTEMBER 2002, VOLUME 17 No.10: New Members (Wampler's Farm Sausage, Dunn Meat, Chilton Consulting)
• AUGUST 2002, VOLUME 17 No.9: New Members (Natural Harmony Foods), Member Spotlight (Chlorinators, Inc., Label Express of Georgia, Inc.)
• JULY #2, 2002, VOLUME 17 No. 8: Industry Updates, Upcoming Educational Programs
• JULY, 2002 VOLUME 17, No. 7: 2002 Convention Highlights and Photos
• JUNE, 2002 VOLUME 17, No. 6: New members (Odom's, Chlorinator, and Tipper Tie)