The Board meeting of the International HACCP Alliance was held beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 1999.

The meeting was called to order by Deven Scott, Chairman. Deven Scott introduced and welcomed Mark McLellan, the newly appointed Director, of the Institute of Food Science and Engineering to the meeting. After a brief welcome and introductions of the Board members and participants, the minutes from the last meeting were approved, motion made by Rosemary Mucklow, seconded by Kim Rice to approve the minutes, motion carried.

The agenda was reviewed, Rita Fullem made a motion and seconded by Jim Denton to approve the agenda, motion carried.

Don Dalton reviewed the financial statements from December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1999. Rosemary Mucklow noted the International HACCP Alliance has its own tax identification number and has formalized the financial separation from Texas A&M University at the request of Texas A&M University. Steps are in place to finalize the 501(c)(6) status. Don Dalton moved to adopt the report, a motion was made by Jim Denton and seconded by Rita Fullem; motion carried.

Phil Ventresca reviewed the history of two audit committees and past activities. ASQ- American Society for Quality is willing to incorporate food safety/HACCP into the Body of Knowledge (BOK). The add-on of these two would focus on scientific HACCP and use the NACMCF document as the basis. It would also allow for the ASQ to have an audit credential for HACCP using this BOK. This would help standardize auditors. There will also be questions for four exams that are given two-time a year. Rita Fullem stated that this is intended to be a food safety document or a "regulatory" document. Phil Ventresca stated that ASQ has focused on auditor credentials not contents of the audit itself at this time. Deven Scott wanted to know do we have enough input at this time. Phil Ventresca stated that some comments have been received and ASQ is starting at square one. Kim Rice noted the importance of focusing on scientific HACCP just as the Alliance has done on the training. Jim Denton agreed that there should be assistance with developing the BOK and to stick with science of food safety. Phil Ventresca stated that the exam is given every two years at the Sylvan learning center, cost will be about hundred dollars. Some regions may even offer a six week course and the cost of it would be between $150-$300. ASQ also has the study guides and textbooks. Merle Pierson stressed the importance of focusing on basic science and suggested that internationally ISO 9000 is very well known in the international community and it is a similar auditing process. He said that it also offers creditability and standardization. Kim Rice brought up that a lot of people have passed using the ASQ exam. It was noted that ASQ is going to do this anyway and we must make sure that the people representing the International HACCP Alliance and ASQ focus on science. Phil Ventresca said that more people from the International HACCP Alliance should be on the ASQ committee. Rita Fullem suggested that Phil should select a number of people to work with him to move forward with the project. A motion was made by Rita Fullem, that International HACCP Alliance have representation at the ASQ BOK meeting to focus on food safety and seconded by Joe Harris. There was a call for comment and the motion carried. ASQ will have a meeting on a Friday & Saturday in Milwaukee and ASQ will pay the bill for this fall. (Volunteers for the committee were noted as: Deven Scott,Kim Rice or someone from AMI; someone from the HACCP Consulting Group; Merle Pierson, IFT and Kerri Harris.) It was noted that if you serve on the committee then you are not eligible to develop the training programs because it is a conflict of interest.

Barbara Masters presented an update on FSIS activities and programs that they would be having in the future. There is a Technical Conference for August 17 — 18, 1999 at the Embassy Suites Location. The meeting was to focus on hazard analysis and verification activities. The Steering Committee has asked Kerri Harris to be on the panel.

Consumer Safety Officer initiative is in place to upgrade the workforce. It requires thirty hours in the science field; college credit. The training will start at the end of October with 500 eligible employees. FDA currently has Consumer Safety Officers.

Getting the Very Small Plants ready for 2000 Implementation A Readiness Assessment sheet is currently being conducted by the District offices. This should help identify how the plants are progressing.

Sanitation Rule for Performance studies it considered very close to being released.

Deven Scott presented an update on Listeria Reassessment. The following items were discussed.

1. The thirty-day period for reassessment has come and passed.
2. The FSIS notice is still in place.
3. Directives are still in the clearance process with the union.
4. It does require "reassessment" and not a CCP added.
5. There is no requirement for written document of the reassessment.
6. Corrective action for unforeseen hazards does require official documentation.
7. FSIS will not take any issue with companies using Appendix A as lethality for L.M., at this time.
8. If the consumer must apply a lethality step then it is not considered a RTE product, example frozen dinner with non-cooked items.
9. Everything must be properly labeled.
10. Each Company must make the determination that their product is or not RTE.
11. Listeria spp. environmental testing is up to the company and based on the companies SSOP and HACCP documents.

DuWayne Metz presented the information on the HACCP In-Plant Model Project. The following items were noted:

It will look at the post mortem inspection activities

Started developing the process four years ago

Plants are being added to a waiting list, currently 3 turkey, 2 hog and no beef plants

RTI is handling the project after a company volunteers

Pat Stolfa and her staff are leading the project

Transition period requirements are to have a CCP for food disease and conditions; and must address other consumer’s safety issues.

It was noted that a course will be held at the FSIS Training Center in College Station for the industry involved in the model process. The course would be one week long and the cost would be $500 - $600; contact person for course information is Travis Small.

Toured the FSIS Technical Service Center, and visited with FSIS staff.

After the meeting resumed, Rita Fullem, gave the Training Committee report, she stated that approximately 299 people have gone through the Train the Trainer program. Deven Scott asked if we are being too restrictive on the Train the Trainer courses. The board discussed how the Train the Trainer courses were coordinated and agreed that no changes is needed in the process at this time. Therefore, all International HACCP Alliance Train the Trainer courses will continue to be coordinated through the HACCP Alliance office in cooperation with Food Processors Institute (FPI). Revised training objectives were disseminated and September 1 was set for returning comments to the Alliance office.

The board charge the training committee with developing "advanced course" outline. It was noted that the Alliance office should prepare and disseminate periodic press releases indicating number of people trained and courses ongoing.

After the Training Committee report, Deven Scott went back to the Audit Issues. He asked what happens to the Standardized Audit Document as it is today? Phil Ventresca said that the document should be retired. Everyone agreed. Therefore, the Standardized Audit Document is no longer being disseminated.

Recommendation was made to re-visit the long-range plan. Therefore, the long-range plan committee will meet before the next board meeting.

Additional Business:

It was noted that AIB is currently contacting members about auditing plants and has been active in providing training programs. It was recommended that they have been invited to join the International HACCP Alliance, and had declined.

The next meeting will be held in San Antonio in December, possibly Dec. 9. Lou Gast will continue to serve as chairman of the nominating committee, and we will proceed with the new nomination of board members.

No further issues were raised and a motion was made by Rita Fuller to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kim Rice, and the meeting was adjourned.