The PMA leapt to its industry’s defence, after the country’s consumer media covered a report from the Centre for Science in the Public Interest asserting that fresh produce is more responsible for foodborne illness than other foods.
The Wall Street Journal story also mentioned the US Food and Drug Administration’s letter to the Salinas lettuce industry. PMA has been taking media calls and doing interviews, and responded to the Wall Street Journal article immediately.
In a letter to the Journal’s editor, PMA president Bryan Silbermann cited inaccuracies in the article (which claimed that fresh produce is shipped in containers that have held meat) and reinforced the produce industry’s commitment to food safety. “Produce growers implement food safety programs which include packaging protocols. Companies maintain the cold chain to ensure highest quality and safety. Supermarkets and restaurants use stringent food safety programs themselves and demand them of their suppliers. Any company that does not have a strong food safety program doesn’t belong in the produce industry,” Silbermann wrote.
He also noted that the US government is addressing produce safety through FDA’s Produce Safety Action Plan and that the industry will aggressively pursue ways to further enhance existing safety protocols.
UNITED FORCE FOR MELONS
In a joint effort to help the fresh produce industry ensure the highest levels of food safety, the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (United) and the PMA released Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Melon Supply Chain. Developed by a group of leading produce food safety experts and representatives of operations within the industry, the document provides food safety guidance for the entire melon supply chain.
“United, PMA, and our industry partners have made food safety our top priority,” said Dr Jim Gorny, vice president of quality assurance and technology for United. “We are committed to continual improvement of produce safe handling practices and suggest that all companies involved in the melon supply chain consider the recommendations contained within these guidelines.”
PMA, United and industry partners also support educational outreach efforts to assure awareness and use of available melon food safety information. In addition, the two organisations will work together to review and implement these and other important produce industry food safety guidelines.
“Our organisations and the government also share the common goal of assuring consumer confidence in the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Kathy Means, PMA vice president of government relations. “The myriad health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption are well documented, and we will take all necessary steps to make our industry’s products as safe, nutritious, and delicious as possible.”
No comments yet