Baton Rouge, LA

Dec. 3-4, 1997

The 8th biannual SHA Steering Committee meeting included 16 committee members and 5 guests. The first day included discussions on previous 1997 activities and proposed work through 2000 (agenda attached). The following day addressed specific items for action and assignments (Action Item list attached).

Art Dell'Aria, Bob Collette, George Flick, Timothy Hansen, Ken Hilderbrand, Donald Howell, Gary Jensen, Don Kraemer, Don Kramer, Mike Moody, Ken Moore, Alexander Ondis, Steve Otwell, Denise Rooney, and Donn Ward.

David Bankston-LSU Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA

Custy F. Fernandes-Mississippi State Univ., Pascagoula

David J. LeRoy-FDA, New Orleans, LA

Barbara Wright-FDA, New Orleans, LA

Mike Voisin-Motivatit Seafoods, Houma, LA

The basic Alliance organizational structure aligned with the six regional AFDO affiliate Alliance Committees will be reconfirmed and updated through request letters to each affiliate president (mail out in January). Current listing attached.

New Alliance objectives committees have been confirmed with assignments (attached).

The established UC Davis web site remains the primary mode of communication within and about the Alliance. Flyers about the Alliance organization and specific objectives (i.e., Compendium) will be prepared for distribution through training, Expos, conferences and other popular outlets. Likewise, exposure articles will be encouraged in trade magazines. International liaison will be addressed with representatives invited to the next Steering Committee meeting, June 4-5, 1998 in Williamsburg, VA.

A 3rd edition of the Seafood HACCP Alliance training manual is planned for print June 1, 1998. The Editorial Committee meeting is scheduled for January 12-14 in Raleigh. Items to be addressed:

• incorporation of changes in HACCP approaches as per recommendations by the National Advisory Committee on Microbial Criteria for Foods (NACMCF),
• addition of new models and revisions of existing models relative to experience and
• FDA's next edition of the Fisheries' Guide, (Note: A revised FDA Fisheries' Guide (3rd edition) is anticipated in January 1998),
• expansion of the instructions on Sanitation SOP's relative to optional monitoring methods and records,
• inclusion of recommended layouts for product specifications relative to HACCP concerns and requirements,
• expand on advice for electronic recordkeeping and record access,
• change overheads to reflect and match any changes in text,
• include copy of GMP's,
• list reference to USDA bibliography of HACCP aquaculture work,
• and consider addition or access to disc containing various HACCP and SOP forms.

Donn Ward will prepare a Steering Committee solicitation for editions and additions for the 3rd edition. Steve Otwell will do the same through the trainers and the regional AFDO affiliate Alliance Committees.

The revised Spanish edition of the training manual based on critic at the international trainer course is due in January. Distribution will be through the NC Sea Grant established route. Steve Otwell will explore posting the Spanish translated regulations chapter on the internet.

The SSOP committee will attempt to compose sanitation training materials by June 1, 1998. Items under consideration include:

• addendums for the 3rd edition of the Alliance HACCP training manual,
• a separate SSOP Manual for use in conjunction with the Alliance Manual and FDA Fisheries' Guide, plus as a stand alone SSOP course,
• and SSOP addendums to the Alliance Compendium of Methods.

SSOP support materials based on previous efforts will be forwarded to Steve Otwell by Mike Moody, Ken Hilderbrand & Ken Moore before December 31, 1998. Similar items will be requested from the Steering Committee members. An SSOP Committee meeting is anticipated in Feb. 1998.

The Steering Committee decided to reconstitute a Compendium Working Committee to

convene and plan for the following recommendations:

• complete a flyer' for general distribution explaining the content, access and use of the Compendium.
• consider annotations to better explain parts of the Compendium
• consider distinction between the Compendium and FDA's Fisheries' Guide.
• consider inclusion of additional materials addressing,
• Sanitation SOP's (linked with the SSOP Committee plans)
• Product Specifications per seafood safety concerns,
• Directions for electronic recordkeeping and access,
• USDA's update pesticide & drug use guide for aquaculture
• Links with FDA's Q&A forum, FDA's FaxFile forms and intent, and other sources

Editorial comments on the latest bound copy of the Compendium will be solicited from the Steering Committee by Bob Price and Steve Otwell. Due date is January 15.

A Compendium Working Committee meeting is anticipated in early 1998.

At this time the Steering Committee did not support suggestions to conduct product/process specific courses, basic or trainer update courses or specific sanitation courses.

The Steering Committee did support plans for one domestic Train-the-Trainers course in March or April, centrally located and dependent on screening of attendees. Screening would be based on experience and intent to teach HACCP courses consistent with the AFDO/Alliance protocol. As before, the regional AFDO affiliates would screen applicants for training. The Alliance project funds would support travel for 3 to 4 instructors. Volunteers included Donn Ward, Mike Moody, Don Kraemer (FDA) and Don Kramer (AK). Mike Moody would select the training site, solicit trainers, set schedules and arrange for hotel, materials and certificates. Dan Smyly and Steve Otwell would arrange for announcing and screening for trainers.

Likewise, the Steering Committee did approve consideration for an additional international Train-the-Trainers course in response to requests from Costa Rica for Central America. Steve Otwell would explore arrangements with two options:

• Trainer course with AFDO certificates based in U.S. (Miami)
• Basic course in Central America aligned with qualified instructors from Central America and Steering Committee (Expenses responsibility of host).

The Committee discussed numerous alternatives (i.e., downlinks, videotapes, FDA video excerpts, etc.) but with no consensus. Moody and Flick were asked to explore options relative to logistics, topics, audience, delivery and cost. Their reports are expected during the June 4-5 Steering Committee Meeting in Williamsburg, VA.

Recommended changes were discussed and forwarded to the AFDO Board for consideration. Confusion with the role of the Committee lead to termination of their assignment.

Ken Hilderbrand will solicit a 1998 update of the previous listing of priority research topics in support of HACCP implementation and seafood safety. A final list is anticipated by Fall 1998, at

which time it will be packaged by Ken and Denise Rooney for distribution to numerous research funding programs.

The role of the Alliance in providing continuing technical support relative to HACCP programs and seafood safety will be initially explored in liaison with FDA and NFI in staging a Summer 1998 forum to address logistics, technology and basic operations of HACCP programs and regulations. As before, the forum will be based on invitations for constructive criticism. Bob will direct arrangements per sites, invitees and format.

Steve Otwell will respond to standing requests and other international interests to attend the 9th Steering Committee meeting in Williamsburg, June 4-5. The program will include a session to discuss the Alliance's international role and international partners. Steve Otwell will prepare invitations with assistance from PAHO, FAO and others.

A two year project update and projected Alliance plans will be forwarded to all AFDO regional AFDO affiliate Alliance committees and trainers. This update is expected to be mailed in January and include request to:

• reconfirm committee commitments
• solicit changes in the curriculum and training manuals
• solicit screening for the March or April domestic Train-the-Trainers course
• and invite participation at the 9th Steering Committee meeting

1. George Flick will continue to advise on activities of USDA's initiative to encourage State based HACCP training partnerships for other foods.
2. Don Howell, will provide liaison for the Steering Committee per FDA's initiatives for a Retail Food Safety Education Alliance.
3. Letter of Support:

Ken Moore and Denise Rooney will generate letters for Alliance support and

acknowledgments from authorities from FDA, USDA, AFDO, ISSC and others. The

intent is to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the Steering Committee members

and numerous active instructors.

4. FDA - NMFS Merger

Tim Hansen agreed to provide the Steering Committee with an update on the

pending merger of FDA and NMFS's inspection service activities as relates to the

regulation of HACCP and inspection activities. The intent is to clarify and plan for the

Alliance's educational role.

5. FDA will compose responses to industry inquiries on the so-called "chain letter phenomena" thought to be generated by errant advise.
6. Material distribution to Steering Committee

• Updates USDA pesticide & dairy use booklet for aquaculture (by Gary Jensen).
• FDA's "FaxFile" forms and programs used to survey HACCP compliance (by Don Kramer, FDA)
• NACMCF changes in HACCP recommendations (by Donn Ward)
• ISSC HACCP Training Program (by Ken Moore)