The USDA-FSIS workshops for small and very small plants focusing on the new E. coli directives are continuing.  AAMP strongly urges small and very small plant operators to attend.  The workshops are on directives designed to strengthen procedures to prevent E. coli O157:H7, and are part of efforts by FSIS to help small and very small plants comply with these new directives.

The sessions are being held on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm, with registration beginning at 8:30 am.  The remaining sessions are as follows:  June 19, San Antonio, TX, St. Anthony Hotel, 300 East Travis, (210) 227-4392; June 26, Boulder, CO, Renaissance Boulder Suites Hotel at Flatiron, 500 Flatiron Blvd., Broomfield, CO, (303) 464-8400;  July 10, New York, NY, Westin New York at Times Square, 270 W. 43rd St.., (212) 201-2700; July 17, Sacramento, CA, Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, 300 "Jay" St., (916) 446-0100; July 24, St. Louis, MO, DoubleTree Hotel, 16625 Swingley Ridge Rd., Chesterfield, MO, (636) 532-5000; July 31, Montgomery, AL, Ramada Inn-East, 1355 East Blvd., (334) 277-2200; August 28, Philadelphia, PA, Crowne Plaza Philadelphia, 1800 Market St., (215) 561-7500; and September 11, Amarillo, TX, The Ambassador, 3100 I-40 West, (806) 358-6161.

Directives being covered during the seminars are:  Directive 10,010.1, Revision 1, Microbiological Testing Program and Other Verification Activities for E. Coli O157:H7 in Raw Ground Beef Products, Raw Ground Beef Components and Beef Patty Components; Directive 6420, Verification of Procedures for Controlling Fecal Materials, Ingesta and Milk in Slaughter Operations; and Directive 5000.2, Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel.  You can pre-register by calling USDA toll free (866) 553-3052 or by e-mail to Renee.Ellis@fsis.usda.gov.  If you have any additional questions, call AAMP at (717) 367-1168, or e-mail to aamp@aamp.com.