Leading fresh produce industry figures have reacted positively to this week's markup of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 by the House Energy and Subcommittee on Health, led by United Fresh Produce Association president and CEO Tom Stenzel.
In a statement, Mr Stenzel said that the markup represented an important step in changing US food safety regulations and addressing improvements to ensure consumer confidence, hailing both Democrats and Republicans for creating a strong legislative framework.
'While this legislation is still a work in progress, we are pleased that the committee has addressed some of the key issues we think are important in this bill, including providing for commodity specific, science-based standards for produce by the federal government, allowing for industry-driven advances on traceability, and targeted research funding that will help drive important food safety innovations in the produce industry,' he noted.
Pamela Bailey, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), also threw her weight behind the bill by praising the Subcommittee for its efforts to strengthen and modernise the country's food safety system.
'Industry and government both have unique and important roles when it comes to food safety,' Ms Bailey said. 'Because consumer confidence is the foundation of everything we do, manufacturers take food safety very seriously and invest their resources and reputations in producing safe products. Likewise, strong government oversight is a critical and necessary part of our nation's food safety net.'
Mr Stenzel added that there would still be opportunities to strengthen the legislation, and that United Fresh would work with the Energy and Commerce Committee to develop additional enhancements to broaden support for the bill.
'Food safety remains our industry's top priority. The men and women who grow, pack, process and deliver fresh produce are committed to providing consumers with safe and wholesome foods,' he said.
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