SEMA_________________________________

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

DECEMBER 2008

VOLUME 23, No. 12

SAMPLING & TESTING OF RAW GROUND BEEF

Directive 85-08 is issued as part of FSIS more risk-based sampling program for E. coli O157:H7. This Notice informs inspection program personnel that they are to begin routine sampling of raw ground beef components (including raw beef patty components) other than beef manufacturing trimmings for E. coli O157:H7 when they receive a sample request form (FSIS Form 10,210-3) with the MT54 project code. FSIS inspection program personnel are to collect samples of this product from slaughter establishments. When the automated import information system (AIIS) requests a sample of beef manufacturing trimmings or other specified raw ground beef component for E. coli O157:H7 testing, import inspection program personnel are to sample the product identified in AIIS, using the MT51 code on the sampling request form. This product is adulterated if positive for E. coli O157:H7. FSIS inspection program personnel already conduct routine sampling of beef manufacturing trimmings under FSIS Notice 18-07.

OPERATIONS OCCURRING OUTSIDE APPROVED HOURS

Directive 12,700.1 has been issued to instruct inspection program personnel (IPP) from the Office of Field Operations (OFO) on how to respond when an official establishment conducts operations or activities that require inspection outside of its approved hours of operation without inspection coverage. Products produced outside of approved hours, are considered adulterated and cannot enter commerce and are not eligible for donation into human food channels or for sale into pet food or other animal feed channels.

WANT TO ENTER THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET?

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is accepting applications from small companies for its branded products promotion program. Companies participating in the program use their own funds, leveraged with matching funds from the program to develop export markets for U.S. red meat exports. These funds can be used to conduct activities such as:

  • Trade shows and exhibits
  • Merchandising
  • Public relations and seminars

Contact USMEF Branded Programs Manager Barbara Watson at bwatson@usmef.org or (303) 623-6328 for program details, including participation fees, program guidelines and information on how to apply.

RECALL OF MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued Directive 8080.1 Revision 5. The directive provides the terminology, responsibilities, and public notification procedures regarding the voluntary recall of FSIS-inspected meat and poultry products.
Key points:

  • clarifies the various levels of distribution that represent the depth of a recall
  • clarifies the responsibilities of each FSIS program area
  • changes the office responsible for coordinating field activities for recalls of imported products from Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement, and Review to the Office of International Affairs
  • clarifies the procedures of the Recall Committee
  • introduces public health alerts
  • changes the term “Press Release” to “Recall Release”
  • describes considerations for public notification and verification for recalls conducted at the wholesale level
  • provides for a quarterly post-recall assessment report
  • updates Attachment 1 to include recall nomenclature and examples of Recall Releases
  • updates Attachment 2 to clarify the considerations for determining the classification of a recall involving an undeclared ingredient
  • updates Attachment 3 to provide specific details for the Office of International Affairs review related to effectiveness checks

To view the directive go to: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/8080.1Rev5.pdf.

NACMPI SOLICIT FOR MEMBERSHIP

FSIS announced in the Federal Register that it is soliciting nominations for membership on the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). Members are selected for a two-year term and advise the Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting federal and state inspection program activities.

  • The full Committee consists of 16-18 members, and each person selected is expected to serve a 2-year term. Members are limited to three consecutive terms (maximum six years). Most members serve two terms with about one third of the committee memberships being filled each term.
  • Anyone wishing to nominate or be nominated must submit the name(s) of the nominee(s) and their typed curricula vitae or resumes to FSIS as instructed by the Federal Register Notice.
  • All Nominees are then contacted to complete an application (Form AD-755) | DOC that is forwarded to the Secretary of Agriculture for consideration.
  • Selections are made in March of the following year with the first meeting scheduled in the spring. It is anticipated that the Committee will meet at least annually, averaging about twice a year (Spring and Fall).

For more information click on to: www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/NACMPI/index.asp

FSIS-ASK: Sanitation SOP Frequency “As Needed”

#1 Question: What type of control procedure is acceptable to determine the intended use of the product?

Answer: FSIS expects the establishment to have decision-making documents associated with the identified intended use of the product. There should be objective evidence, that is, objective measures in place designed to ensure that the product is used as intended, to establish this intent. There should be decision-making documents associated with the hazard analysis that are consistent with the establishment's assertion that the product in question is not for use in raw ground beef, and there should be measures in place to restrict the product to intact use only or to use only in RTE product. Such measures may include letters to the suppliers along with a receipt of acknowledgement that the purchaser understands that this product is not intended for grinding or non-intact products. The establishment records (e.g. contractual agreements with RTE plants) and HACCP documents (e.g., the flow chart and hazard analysis) need to identify the intended use of the intact raw beef products and be consistent with the decision-making documents and the measures that are in place.
Trimmings destined for use in raw ground beef or other non-intact product will be sampled under MT50 unless the establishment can demonstrate that the product is intended to be used in RTE product or intact product. If the intended use is unclear, beef manufacturing trimmings will be sampled by IPP under MT50.

#2 Question: Which trim destined for use as raw ground beef is subject to the MT50 sampling?

Answer: The beef manufacturing trimming destined for non-intact use within the establishment or at another establishment, or whose intended use is not clear, should be sampled under the MT50 project.

The above question is part of the FSIS database of questions, ask FSIS, which can be accessed at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Help/index.asp.

SEMA MEMBERSHIP

Each year comes with new and challenging obstacles. Next year will be no exception with the tough economic times and financial issues our industry is encountering. It is only with dedication and working together that we overcome those obstacles. SEMA membership renewal invoices will be mailed out this month, your continued support and participation is appreciated.

The next few months SEMA will be offering new processing members a $100.00 voucher to use towards the annual convention. The SEMA convention will be June 12th & 13th at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Things to Ponder . . . . . . . . .
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

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WELCOME NEW PROCESSOR MEMBER
The Pork Company
892 Penny Brand Rd.
Warsaw, NC 28398
Joe Villari, President
910.293.2157
Referred by: Don Wilson

SEMA WORKING FOR YOU

The SEMA Board of Directors and some of the Southeastern Universities have been working on ways to take the processors' challenges and the Universities' expertise and work on projects that will help our industry. The SEMA Directors have asked the Universities to put together a data-base of historical data and criteria for plants to use as supporting documentation. The Universities will have a conference call in January to start the process.

The University people are always willing to help if they can. The following is our University team and their expertise:

University of Florida
Dr. Chad Carr - meat extension, teaching (interested in swine)
  Phone: 352.392.2454 e-mail: chadcarr@ufl.edu
Larry Eubanks - meat extension, food safety, youth extension
  Phone: 352.392.7528 e-mail: leubanks@ufl.edu
Dr. Sally Williams - meat processing
  Phone: 352.392.2293 e-mail: wsallyk@ufl.edu

University of Georgia
Dr. Karina Martino - food processing, food safety
  Phone: 706.542.6673 e-mail: kgmart@uga.edu

University of Tennessee
Dr. Dwight Loveday - teaching and youth extension
  Phone: 865.974.7344 e-mail: hloveday@utk.edu

Auburn
Dr. Wayne Greene - Department chairman, (cattle nutrition)
  Phone: 334.844.1523 e-mail: wgreene@auburn.edu
Christy Bratcher - research and teaching (grass-fed cattle)
  Phone: 334.844.1517 e-mail: cbratcher@auburn.edu

SEMA MEMBER NEWS

Country Ranch Foods has excess production capacity for meat or poultry sausage patties. If interested call Ed Vanderslice Jr. at 770.792.9000. Country Ranch Foods is located in Marietta, GA.

White Oak Pastures, Inc. hosted a Fall Festival Celebration November 8th at their plant. Well attended, the people enjoyed live music, wine tasting, skeet-shooting, and more. Will Harris and his staff were proud to take everyone on farm and plant tours. White Oak Pastures will soon sell their products online.

Kopco Graphics has moved opening a new state of the art 10,000 sq. ft. facility. Kopco is now located at 2066 58th Ave. Cir. E. Bradenton, FL. and their new phone number is 941.755.3400, toll-free number 866.743.4192.

Seasons Greeting
And
Happy Holidays