SEMA_________________________________ SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION DECEMBER 2002 VOLUME 17, NO. 13NEW RULES ON E. COLI 0157:H7 HACCP REASSESSMENT We told you in the SEMA October 2002 newsletter that a notice would
be coming out in the Federal Register. It has arrived – Notice 44-2.
It advises plants to reassess their HACCP program.
For more information go to: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/44-02.htm. In addition, Jeff Chilton (Associate SEMA Member) with Chilton Consulting Group will be holding seminars for HACCP Issues/Updates Training Sessions. They are to be held:
E-mail Jeff at chilton@alltel.net for further information regarding the seminars or check his website at www.chiltonconsulting.com . Chilton Consulting is also organizing a seminar about HACCP Reassessment. Further information will be available when the final ruling is published next week. They will have a program put together by Feb.1 – check the SEMA newsletter and website for further info. LISTERIA TESTING – NEW USDA DIRECTIVE The new rules prescribe an intensified testing program for plants that produce high-and medium-risk ready-to-eat products, such as hot dogs or deli meats. The new testing program will consist of three types of sampling:
The directive means that USDA will have environmental listeria test data from every inspected facility producing high and medium risk ready-to-eat products under USDA inspection. The data will either come from the facilities’ own test data or from the intensified USDA sampling program. For more information log on to: www.fsis.usda.gov
A public meeting will be held December 12, 2002 to discuss improving the process for recalls of meat, poultry and egg products. “It is important for all stakeholders to have the opportunity for input as we create a program that is most beneficial to public health.” Said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, December 12 at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, D.C. To register, contact Mary Harris at 202.690.6497 or Mary.Harris@fsis.usda.gov.
Shapiro Farmer’s Market, an Augusta, Ga., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 54,000 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E.coli O157:H7. For more information to: www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/recalls/prelease/pr102-2002.htm SUREBEAM HAS NEW IRRADIATION PATENT This patent is expected to increase the use of irradiation technology for in-line production applications. It has the ability to simultaneously process products in a variety of package configurations.
Smithfield Foods, Inc. has acquired a hog production company, Vall, Inc., out of Oklahoma: Vall’s Spanish parent, Vall Companies Group, for $60.7 million in cash. Smithfield said last week it is still interested in buying the beef and pork operations of bankrupt U.S. farm cooperative Farmland Industries. “We are interested in Farmland, as we are in any pork assets that are available,” said Joseph Luter, III, Smithfield’s chairman and CEO. JANUARY WILL START A NEW BEEF ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN A new $13.4 million checkoff-funded advertising program featuring television and print will target adults ages 25 through 54. This campaign is being coordinated for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Consumers have come to recognize and look forward to the sounds and themes surrounding our beef advertising,” said Linda Joy Stovall, a beef producer from El Campo, Texas, and chair of the industry’s Joint Advertising Committee. “These new ads fuel the passion people have for our product, using these tried-and true components to boost their effectiveness.”
The “Pork. The Other White Meat’ campaign changed the way consumers think about pork. A new pork checkoff-funded study shows that 93 percent of consumers perceive pork products featuring the slogan as “high quality”.
The Consumer’s Choice Pork Awards were established to honor innovation in the pork industry and salute manufacturers who strive to offer products with consumer appeal that also address lifestyle needs. At the SEMA Convention this past June, we were able to try many of the winning products. Now it is time to enter products for the 2003 Consumer’s Choice Awards. If you are interested, go to: www.meatingplace.com/meatingplace/DailyNews/News.asp?ID=10118. KNOW YOUR ASSOCIATES PECHINEY PLASTIC PACKAGING, INC. – Frank McDavid Beginning over 100 years ago as a can company, American Can Company, then a member of the Dow Jones Industrial 30, has evolved both in name to American National Can Company and more recently to Pechiney North America headquartered out of Chicago, Illinois as well as products. Beginning in plastics during the fifties, today Pechiney Plastics Packaging is one of the world’s largest barrier plastic packaging manufacturers. With 13 plants, a USDA approved research laboratory and pilot plant, we offer a full line of barrier filmproducts. With three divisions addressing market needs the Health Care and Specialty and Foods divisions affect your life everyday. However, it is the Meat and Cheeses division which I have proudly served with for over 35 years. We are one of only three manufacturers of barrier shrink bags and one of two manufacturing chub films for ground fresh product such as beef and turkey. With co-extruding, laminating, surface and trapped printing up to 10 colors, we can meet almost any need in the industry. We also offer full line coverage of Customer Service Technicians often living in your community. Although members of the large national associations, I have been a member of the NCMPA for over 32 years and more recently a member of SEMA since becoming sales manager. It is our proud tradition as a mainstream supplier to the grass roots organizations and their members which has supported our growth over this long period. It is the industry’s members that have allowed us to do so. |