The Produce Marketing Association (PMA), a long-standing supporter of the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE), is helping to fund Fight Bac!, a project to educate consumers on safe produce handling practices.
“Not only is this an important public health initiative, it will provide a consistent, science-based message that can be used by industry, government, and consumer groups on the issue of food safety,” said Steve Junqueiro, incoming chairman of the PMA Board of Directors and vice president of operations for Save Mart Supermarkets, Modesto, California.
The safety messages revolve around six pillars: Check, Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill, and Throw Away. Outreach tools are being developed for use by PMA members as well as consumer influencers such as extension officers. Web-based materials will consist of a brochure and a flyer with room for a company’s or agency’s logo, a draft news release, two powerpoint presentations, downloadable graphics, and idea generator lists. They will be posted on www.fightbac.org.
“We now have - for the first time - government, industry, and consumer groups coming together to deliver a single series of messages aimed at improving how fresh produce is handled by consumers,” said Steve Barnard, outgoing PMA chairman and president/ceo of Mission Produce, Oxnard, California.
PMA president Bryan Silbermann explained that because fruits and vegetables are a vital part of every consumer’s diet, safe handling practices are important. “PMA is dedicated to serving the entire supply chain. That includes consumers,” Silbermann said. “Developing consistent, credible messages about safe produce handling is essential to maintaining the public’s confidence in the fresh produce supply. We count on the Partnership and its Fight BAC! program to provide that type of education.
“PMA is pleased to be in a position to provide the resources that will convey these messages to consumers. We hope that our members, who have significant contact with consumers, will help get the word out with these tools. Our members have said that food safety is their top priority,” Silbermann noted. “They can be proud that they have helped develop these education tools, and they can use them in their businesses and in their communities to have a direct impact on their customers, employees, and neighbours.”
PMA was a founding member of the Partnership, and Silbermann serves on the PFSE Board of Directors. PMA served on the Partnership work group that developed the messages and is providing funding for material development and dissemination.
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