January 17, 2000 Volume 1, Issue 4
Email: sma@tca.net Home Page Address: http://southwestmeat.org
Edited by Barbara Bates
Consumers Don’t Want To Pay For Origin Labels
The Agriculture Department says there’s no evidence consumers are willing to pay more for meat to have it labeled with the country of origin. “To the contrary, if consumers do distinquish goods depending on their country of origin, strong incentive exists for industries to act without government intervention,” according to a study that USDA issued January 12. The USDA study, which was requested by Congress after meat processors defeated a labeling bill in 1998, said that such a law could hurt U.S. meat exports if foreign countries impose a similar requirement. Despite the USDA report, some livestock producer groups remain committed to mandating the labels.
Beef Promotion Operating Committee Approved Projects
The Beef Promotion Operating Committee of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board met in Albuquerque in December and approved several projects funded by checkoff dollars. These include: (1) $128,400 for the Beef Ambassador Program conducted by the American National Cattle Women (ANCW), (2) $125,000 for ANCW to conduct instore beef demonstrations, (3) $120,000 for crisis management, (4) $50,000 for additional beef promotion in Mexico, and (5) $30,000 for NCBA and USDA to further coordinate the national program. In addition, the Operating Committee recommended a $4.75 million budget amendment to the Beef Board, using additional funds resulting from projects completed below budget and revenues exceeding projections. The proposed amendment included $3.2 million for promotion; $500,000 for foreign marketing; $400,000 for research, $375,000 to cover costs for USDA to verify the petitions to terminate the checkoff submitted by the Livestock Marketing Association; and $125,000 for industry information. (TCFA- January 7, 2000)
IBP Refutes Allegations In Federal Lawsuit
IBP, Inc. refutes allegations of environmental violations made by federal officials who filed a lawsuit against the nation’s largest fresh beef and pork producer. The lawsuit alleges that the company violated numerous provisions of federal environmental laws in its handling of waste from a meat processing plant in Dakota City, NE. IBP said in a press release that the lawsuit delays environmental improvements it has been trying to make at the plant since 1997. IBP said it reached an agreement last November with Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality officials to get permits to begin $13 million in improvements, but that the agency “backed out” in December, saying it needed approval from the federal government before any action was taken. According to the lawsuit, Environmental Protection Agency investigators allegedly found evidence of an overabundance of hydrogen sulfide in the air above six waste lagoons attached to IBP Inc.’s slaughter and tannery operations at the facility. In addition, agents said they found evidence of illegal ammonia discharges in the nearby Missouri River, endangering animal life in and around the river.
January 17, 2000/InfoMeat
2
Changes In Recall Policy
In response to the report of its Recall Working Group, FSIS intends to issue a new version of FSIS Directive 8080.1 (Rev.3), “Recall of Meat and Poultry Products.” In addition, to assist establishments to effect their responsibilities during a recall, FSIS intends to issue a guide, “Product Recall Guidelines for Establishments.” While the main purpose of the new directive is to update the Agency’s procedures, it sets out some important new policies. For example, starting February 1, 2000, FSIS will issue news releases for all meat and poultry recalls. The news releases will be drafted to reflect the health risk presented by the product being recalled, and whether the product is identifiable to consumers. For example, news releases for Class III recalls will be very brief and state that there is no health risk. For Class I recalls there will continue to be quotes from the Administration that describe the nature of the hazard in the news releases. FSIS intends to reassess this new policy later in the year. A second new policy set out in the Directive is the definition of the circumstances in which FSIS will consider a recall to be completed. The Agency states that it will consider a recall to be complete when the recalling firm has made all reasonable efforts to recover the product, and it either has disposed of the product or has it under control. FSIS is addressing this issue in response to complaints that some recalls remained open for years. The Guide outlines the actions that FSIS recommends a plant take in anticipation of a recall and in the event that the plant decides to recall product. The Guide states that a plant should prepare and maintain a detailed, written recall plan. It further states that this plan should describe, on a step-by-step basis, the procedure that the firm will follow when recalling product. The Agency expects to issue the Directive and Guide this week.
Maytag Refrigerator Extends Shelf Life of Meats
Maytag recently introduced its newest refrigerator with ClimateZone technology that helps food last longer and stay fresh. Based on studies conducted at South Dakota State University, some meats lasted up to 150 percent longer in ClimateZone temperatures, compared with typical refrigerator temperatures. Unlike conventional refrigerators, which blow air directly in the drawer and onto the food, ClimateZone drawers allow air to flow through chambers around the drawer to prevent the food from drying out. The Automatic Humidity Control feature in the storage drawer allows excess moisture to escape to keep food from getting soggy.
HACCP Information Online: International HACCP Alliance: http:// www.haccpalliance.org FSIS HACCP Implementation Page: http://www.usda.gov/ fsis/imphaccp.html
Featured Supplier Meating Our Needs Birko Corporation
Mike Brown • Alex Bell • Gary Nace
308 Arthur • Amarillo, Texas 79102 Phone: 806-376-9250 • Fax: 806-376-9731
Specialty chemicals manufacturer, professional & technical service in chemistry, engineering and microbiology
January 17, 2000/InfoMeat
3
Federal Register Notice
FSIS Notice of Technical Corrections-Docket No. 96-037C-”Sanitation Requirements for Official Meat and Poultry Establishments: Technical Corrections”. This document contains five technical corrections that have been made to the final regulation. For more information, contact: Dr. Daniel Engeljohn, Director, FSIS Regulations Development and Analysis, at (202) 720-5627.
Briefly...............................
Support For Listeria Warnings On Food: The Center for Science in the Public Interest and five other consumer groups called on USDA and FDA to require labels, about the dangers of Listeria and Toxoplasma, on ready-to-eat meats, and the agencies should require routine testing of processed foods for the pathogens. Part of the effort is a campaign to educate pregnant women about foods which may cause miscarriages. At the heart of the campaign is a free brochure which suggests certain risky foods to be avoided as well as safe ways to handle and prepare foods. A USDA food safety expert says the new brochure “will go a long way” to educating women on ways to prevent listeriosis. USDA Assures Texas That Beef Is Safe: About 131 tons of beef is on its way to Texas schools after federal officials assured the state the meat was safe. Earlier last week, the Texas Department of Human Services ordered the ground beef from Supreme Beef Processors, Inc. of Dallas held in warehouses pending a federal review of its safety. USDA officials sent the department a letter last Wednesday saying that the meat conforms to USDA inspection guidelines. EU Food Safety Program Unveiled: The EU Consumer Safety Commissioner presented a policy paper laying out 80 proposals on food safety laws to be brought forward over the next three years. The plan’s centerpiece is a proposed EU-wide authority to anticipate and advise on future food scares. Critics say the plan is “short on effectiveness.” More Food Safety Enforcement Sought By Senator Harkin: Citing the Supreme Beef Processors case, Senator Tom Harkin said it shows USDA needs more enforcement options for dealing with meat processors on food safety issues. He called the Supreme Beef case an “all out assault on the consumer protection afforded” by the federal meat and poultry inspection system. He said if the judge’s decision in the Supreme case is allowed to stand and his bill to increase USDA’s enforcement powers doesn’t become law, USDA will be powerless to protect the public from deadly bacteria. Goat Meat Industry Growing: North Carolina farmers have seen a 40% increase in sales of goat meat since 1998. Farmers who raise and sell goats credit a more diverse population accustomed to eating curried, stewed or grilled goat meat with making the industry more profitable.