Monthly Food Safety Newsletter

Chilton Consulting Group

P.O. Box 129

Rocky Face, GA 30740

Cell: 706-264-1054 Office: 706-694-8325 Fax: 706-694-8316

email: chilton@chiltonconsulting.com www.chiltonconsulting.com, www.sqfconsulting.net

December 2009

Announcements from Chilton Consulting Group

Chilton Consulting Group wishes all our clients a very happy and blessed holiday season!

1. As we wind down 2009 and look forward to 2010, we are reflecting on our most successful year and preparing for an even greater year coming. I would like to thank all our clients for the privilege of assisting with your needs to help assure you are producing the safest and highest quality products. These services assist in protecting your business by reducing your risk of a foodborne illness outbreak, damaging product recalls, and assuring continuous operations in full compliance with regulatory requirements.

2. Our successful year has been a result of maintaining our core business of HACCP Plan Reassessments while fully implementing new services to facilitate preparations for SQF audits and conducting SQF audits.

3. To build upon this foundation, Chilton Consulting Group plans to offer new services in 2010 to assist clients with Lean Manufacturing, 5 S Processes, and Six Sigma. Please contact Jeff Chilton if you are interested in learning how these processes can improve your operations to increase efficiencies and reduce costs.

4. In addition, we will be promoting new services to assist clients with workplace safety and OSHA Compliance with the expertise of David Rowe on staff. Our Safety and Health Audits will assess your compliance with regulatory standards to reduce your risk of OSHA fines and workplace accidents. These services will help clients protect your business, reduce workers compensation cost, and improve your employees safety. Please contact Jeff Chilton to schedule a Safety and Health audit at your facility.

5. Please take time to complete the next page to identify the services you desire for next year. This helps in our planning process. We recommend all clients complete at least the annual and mid-year reassessments. SQF Certified Clients should also complete the annual review of SQF programs required. Please return this form by fax or e mail.

6. Watch for our redesigned web sites at www.chiltonconsulting.com and www.sqfconsulting.net to be launched next month!

7. Chilton Consulting Group will be exhibiting at the 2010 Poultry Show in Atlanta. Please plan to stop by our booth to discuss how we can partner to improve your business.

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Food Safety and Quality Consulting Services Planning Worksheet

Chilton Consulting Group recommends quarterly audits at each client to improve and verify the effectiveness of food safety and quality systems. Facilities may choose which quarterly audit type to complete each quarter based on their needs. Each quarterly audit will consist of 3 days of on-site consulting/travel time.

Quarterly Audit # 1 (Annual Reassessment) – HACCP/SSOP Food Safety Assessment (Required)

Review written HACCP Plan, SSOP, Prerequisite Programs, & Supporting Documentation
Review 60 days corresponding records for each program
Complete plant audit to evaluate pre-operational sanitation, CCP audits, and operational sanitation
Verify compliance with FSIS Regulations, Notices, and Directives
Prepare reports, information, and tools to assess operations and promote compliance
Complete assessment of readiness for FSIS Food Safety Assessment and preparation assistance
Assist with development and implementation of regulatory required programs

Yes, Schedule This Audit Preferred Date: _ Signature:

Quarterly Audit # 2 – Quality Process Systems / Improvements

Assess preparation for customer required Third Party audits
Audit of Quality Manual Programs and corresponding records
Assist with preparation for new SQF auditing process
Identify quality process improvement projects for substantial cost savings
Complete benchmarking, procedure identification, measurement process, and savings tracking for quality process improvement projects selected
Assess SPC (Statistical Process Control) implementation; Provide recommendations for effective implementation to monitor key quality aspects of the operation

Yes, Schedule This Audit Preferred Date: _ Signature:

Quarterly Audit # 3 (Mid-Year Audit) – Recall / Food Defense/ Sanitation Audit

Conduct Food Defense Plan with Vulnerability Risk Assessment
Evaluate Crisis Management Plan and conduct Mock Product Recall / traceability evaluation
Review written Sanitation Manual, SSOP, Prerequisite Programs, and GMP’s
Assist with separation of regulatory SSOP and SPS (Sanitation Performance Standard) for improved regulatory compliance
Complete plant audit of sanitation procedures, pre-operational sanitation inspection, and operational sanitation
Evaluate Microbiological Monitoring Programs for swabbing procedures for ATP, APC, and Listeria testing where applicable
Evaluate facility condition and prepare recommendations for improvements.

Yes, Schedule This Audit Preferred Date: _ Signature:

Quarterly Audit # 4 – SQF Program Annual Reassessment / Verification / Validation

Completion of annual review required of all SQF programs
Completion of Verification and Validation processes for all SQF programs
Reassessment of SQF System to identify changes for continuous improvement
Completion of Level 3 Certification Preparation with Food Quality Plan and required procedures

Yes, Schedule This Audit Preferred Date: _ Signature:

Client: Location:

Approval Signature: Title:

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Upcoming HACCP Classes - Basic and Advanced

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Basic HACCP Workshop Training

If you or your staff need of training, do not hesitate to contact Chilton Consulting Group for individualized for general or customized courses to meet your facility needs.

Customized HACCP workshops or SQF Training can also be conducted on-site at clients for groups.

Contact: Jeff Chilton, President, Chilton Consulting Group

Phone: 706-694-8325 Fax: 706-694-8316

Email: chilton@chiltonconsulting.com www.chiltonconsulting.com

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Audit Preparation Services

Do you need to prepare for a SQF, NSF-Cook & Thurber, AIB, Silliker, Steritech, ASI or other auditing group audit? Contact Chilton Consulting Group to receive assistance with program development and mock audits. We have helped many companies document their HACCP Systems and Food Quality Programs Manual to comply with audit requirements.

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SERVICES AVAILABLE

With growth, there has also been an expansion of services. The list below outlines many of these services. If you don’t see what you need on this list, call and talk to us and we will do our best to see to your compliance and safety needs. This list is growing. If you don’t see what you need, please ask. With our experienced staff, we will be able to help you.

* Food Security Plan Development * Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Consulting

* HACCP Plan Reassessments * HACCP Plan Developments

* Workplace Safety – OSHA Compliance and Workman’s Comp Cost Reductions

* Food safety & Quality Audits * Sanitation / GMP Audits

* Audit Preparation – Silliker, Cook & Thurber, AIB * SPS / SSOP Separation Project

* IVT Preparation / Listeria Assessment * Quality Process Improvements

* Operations Management Improvements (TOPS) * HACCP Training Workshops

* Product Recall / Crisis Management Planning * Food Security Plans

* Manpower Reductions / Efficiency Improvements * Waste Water Control / Cost Reductions

* Animal Welfare Audits * Small Plant Layout and Design

* FMEA – Failure Mode Effect Analysis

* Training Seminars – Food Safety, Regulatory, Quality Topics

* Regulatory Compliance – EIAO Prep Audit or NOIE Response

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Special Article

Jeff Chilton is writing an article on Third Party Food Safety and Quality Audits. Please contact Jeff if you would like to have input with this article.

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Legal Notice

Waxman Food Safety Bill www.chiltonconsulting.com/articles/Food-Safety-Enhancement-Act-of-2009.doc

The summary of the Bill that is still weaving its way back and forth through congress is listed at the above address. There is an interesting website that offers various opinions to this new bill that is still winding its way through congress. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h875/show

FSIS Notices

80-09 12/1/09 NOTE: This notice reissues the content of FSIS Notice 88-08 in its entirety

IMPORTATION OF CANADIAN CATTLE, BISON, SHEEP, AND GOATS INTO THE UNITED STATES

This notice provides updated information to Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection program personnel (IPP) about the receipt, slaughter, and inspection of cattle, bison, sheep, and goats imported from Canada.

FSIS Directives

6020.1 11/20/09

ENHANCED INSPECTION OF POULTRY RELATED TO A NOTIFICATION OF A HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI) OUTBREAK BY FSIS IMPLEMENTATION: This directive is not to be implemented by Agency Inspection Program Personnel unless there is specific instruction via a FSIS user notice.

This directive instructs inspection program personnel (IPP) at poultry slaughter establishments on how to conduct enhanced inspection for domestic poultry should there be an HPAI outbreak or should the Agency learn of an agroterrorism incident involving HPAI viruses. Attachment 1 is a flow diagram summarizing these instructions and referencing the applicable sections of the directive.

6910.1 Rev 1 12/7/09

DISTRICT VETERINARY MEDICAL SPECIALIST (DVMS) – WORK METHODS

The purpose of this directive is to provide instructions to District Veterinary Medical Specialists (DVMSs) regarding the work methods they are to use when conducting humane handling verification visits at livestock establishments or when conducting a visit at a poultry establishment to determine whether live poultry are being handled in a manner consistent with poultry good commercial practice.

FSIS Recall Notices

California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

FSIS-RC-065-2009 CLASS I RECALL – HEALTH RISK: HIGH

WASHINGTON, December 4, 2009 - Beef Packers, Inc., a Fresno, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 22,723 pounds of ground beef products that may be linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Oklahoma Firm Recalls Frozen Beef Steak Fritter Products That May Contain Foreign Materials

FSIS-RC-064-2009 CLASS II RECALL – HEALTH RISK: LOW

WASHINGTON, November 27, 2009 - Advance Food Company, a Enid, Okla., establishment, is recalling approximately 110,730 pounds of frozen beef steak fritter products that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Nebraska Firm Recalls Fresh Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

FSIS-RC-063-2009 CLASS I RECALL – HEALTH RISK: HIGH

WASHINGTON, November 17, 2009 - Fairbury Steaks, Inc. a Fairbury, Neb., establishment, is recalling approximately 90 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Utah Firm Recalls Assorted Meat And Poultry Products Produced Without Inspection

FSIS-RC-062-2009 CLASS II RECALL – HEALTH RISK: LOW

WASHINGTON, November 17, 2009 - Thrive Foods, a Lindon, Utah, establishment, is recalling approximately 3,790 pounds of assorted meat and poultry products because they were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Interesting Articles and the NEWS

1. Secretary for food safety vacancy looms large
The longer the post goes unfilled, the deeper the problems of food safety become http://www.soslandmail.com/ls.cfm?r=145405698&sid=7827364&m=855903&u=SOSLAND&s=http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/beyond_stories.asp?ArticleID=106943&e=safety01@hughes.net

2. FLEXIBLY EQUIPPED By Matt Fleckenstein http://www.1105newsletters.com/t.do?id=3885319:17403716 Ensuring food quality and safety often means the need to alter the physical space in plant or warehouse facilities, especially when temperature and humidity control is at stake.

3. A.M.I. defends safety standards of school lunch program http://www.soslandmail.com/ls.cfm?r=145405698&sid=8169802&m=887298&u=SOSLAND&s=http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/weekly_enews.asp?ArticleID=107904

4. U.S.D.A. defends N.S.L.P. safety policy http://www.soslandmail.com/ls.cfm?r=145405698&sid=8169821&m=887298&u=SOSLAND&s=http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/weekly_enews.asp?ArticleID=107878

5. G.H.G. ruling could devastate agriculture: N.C.B.A. http://www.soslandmail.com/ls.cfm?r=145405698&sid=8169822&m=887298&u=SOSLAND&s=http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/weekly_enews.asp?ArticleID=107879

6. E. coli vaccine for cattle gets large-scale test http://www.soslandmail.com/ls.cfm?r=145405698&sid=8109164&m=881659&u=SOSLAND&s=http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/weekly_enews.asp?ArticleID=107799

7. U.S.D.A. rule addresses equity in poultry industry http://www.soslandmail.com/ls.cfm?r=145405698&sid=8109173&m=881659&u=SOSLAND&s=http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/weekly_enews.asp?ArticleID=107729

8. N.C.B.A. refutes environmental impact study http://www.soslandmail.com/ls.cfm?r=145405698&sid=8109188&m=881659&u=SOSLAND&s=http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/weekly_enews.asp?ArticleID=107692&e=safety01@hughes.net

9. ICE plans 1,000 I-9 audits of workplaces http://www.meatingplace.com/ArticleLocator/ArticleRedirector.aspx?code=2s14623&rType=3

FDA ISSUES

NEWS

The FDA Data Standards Council’s website was updated Tuesday, November 24, 2009, to include updated terminology:

A. UNII update - http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/DataStandards/StructuredProductLabeling/ucm162523.htm

B. Updated terminology XML Files (include updated UNII XML file) - http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/DataStandards/StructuredProductLabeling/ucm169455.htm

Warning Letters from the FDA

1. November 27, 2009 CFM dba Your Deli Florida District Office Seafood/HACCP/CGMP for Foods/Adulterated Not Issued *

2. November 24, 2009 U.F. Union International Food Company San Francisco District Office CGMP/Deviations/Adulterated Not Issued *

3. November 23, 2009 Quesnel Livestock New England District Office Animal Sale for Slaughter as Food/Adulterated Not Issued *

4. November 20, 2009 Pan American Laboratories, LLC Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Dietary Supplement/Labeling/False & Misleading Claims/Misbranded Not Issued *

5. November 19, 2009 United Fish Distributors, Inc. Detroit District Office Seafood HACCP/CGMP for Foods/Adulterated/Insanitary Conditions Not Issued *

6. November 19, 2009 Mason Brothers Co Minneapolis District Office CGMP for Foods/Seafood HACCP/Adulterated Not Issued *

FDA Recalls

1. December 10, 2009 - Limited Recall of 120 Cartons of Berries & Balsamic Salad due to Unlabeled Allergen

2. December 09, 2009 - Pet Carousel Conducts Nationwide Recall of Beef Hoof Products and Pig Ears Because of Salmonella Risk

3. December 08, 2009 - Bayer Consumer Care Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Combination Package of Alka-Seltzer Plus® Day & Night Cold Formula Liquid Gels

4. December 07, 2009 - Rock Creek Nut Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk And Soy in "Quick Fix" Trail Mix

5. December 04, 2009 - Snax in Pax, Inc. Issues a Nationwide Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Allergen in Caramel Corn and Caramel Puff Products.

6. December 04, 2009 - College Inn Initiates Voluntary Recall of Select Canned Chicken Broth Products due to Mislabeling

7. December 03, 2009 - Unilever Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Slim-Fast® Ready-to-Drink Products in Cans Due to Possible Health Risk

8. December 02, 2009 - Sunny Lake Trading Inc. Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Radix Polygonati Officialis

9. November 30, 2009 - La Espiga De Oro, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Whey in Flour Tortillas

10. November 27, 2009 - Stryker Operating Room System II Surgical Navigation System - Recall