The US food industry has expressed support for the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 draft legislation, provided certain modifications are made to improve the final bill, which will eventually be passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama, most likely this year.
So far, the bill has received the backing of the United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh), the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
In addition to United Fresh president Tom Stenzel’s appearance yesterday (Wednesday 3 June) before the US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, GMA president and CEO Pamela Bailey also testified, stating the organization “strongly supports” many of the proposals.
“We applaud Chairman Waxman, Chairman Emeritus Dingell, Congressman Stupak and Congressman Pallone for developing the discussion draft of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, which will provide the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the resources and authorities it needs to help make prevention the foundation of our food safety approach and bolster consumer confidence in the safety and security of the food supply,” she said.
“We strongly support in concept many of the proposals in the draft, including those that require food companies to have a food safety plan; proposals for FDA to set safety standards for fruit and vegetables; proposals to improve the safety of imported food and food ingredients; a risk-based approach to inspection that recognizes the important role played by states and competent foreign authorities; and proposals to give FDA strong enforcement powers to deal with companies that have violated food safety laws, including mandatory recall authority when needed.
“Together, these reforms will prevent contamination, raise the bar for the entire food industry and deter bad actors. In addition, we have also offered important modifications to the draft to committee staff and will continue to work with them on a bipartisan basis to address those provisions.”
Following the hearing by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health about the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, FMI president and chief executive officer Leslie G. Sarasin issued a statement offering his organization’s support.
“Today’s testimony by Mike Ambrosio, Vice President of Quality Assurance at Wakefern Food Corporation, showcases the more than 30 years he has dedicated to improving food safety. He represents the commitment of all FMI members to this singular priority,” Mr Sarasin said.
“FMI supports many policy initiatives in the draft Food Safety Enhancement Act legislation because they are clearly intended to prevent problems in the food supply before they ever occur. Preventing food safety problems from occurring by mitigating risk must be the guiding principle for changes.”
“FMI seeks for federal agencies to focus their attention and manpower on prevention programs to ensure that America’s food is safe before it reaches grocery store shelves. This includes: adopting risk-based systems; expanding use of third-party certification programs; requiring mandatory recall authority; enhancing traceability; and, requiring food safety plans of every company manufacturing food.”
“Food retailers and wholesalers believe that given today’s global marketplace it is critical to provide the FDA with the necessary authority, credibility and resources to assure the safety of America’s food supply.”
Invited witnesses at yesterday’s hearing included:
* Dr. Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration
* Michael Ambrosio, Food Marketing Institute, Vice President Quality Assurance Division, Wakefern Food Corporation
* Pamela G. Bailey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Grocery Manufacturers Association
* Caroline Smith DeWaal, Safe Food Coalition, Food Safety Director
* Center for Science in the Public Interest
* Tim F. Jones, MD, State Epidemiologist, Tennessee Department of Health
* Thomas E. Stenzel, President and CEO, United Fresh Produce Association
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