FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GMA Calls on Congress to Enact Food Safety Reforms
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
January 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In letters to Congress, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) this week urged leaders in the House and Senate to quickly enact food safety reforms. The letters were also signed by: Food Marketing Institute, American Frozen Food Institute, International Bottled Water Association, International Dairy Foods Association, National Fisheries Institute, National Restaurant Association, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Snack Food Association and United Fresh Produce Association.
“With a focus on prevention, the food and beverage industry is committed to partnering with Congress, the Obama Administration and the FDA to strengthen and modernize our nation’s food safety system,” said GMA President and CEO Pam Bailey. “The Food and Drug Administration must be given better tools and more authority to prevent contamination of the nation's food supplies if we are to maintain our position of global leadership and assure consumer confidence.”
Specifically GMA and its allies urged Congress to: require food safety plans; require foreign supplier safety plans and build foreign capacity; ensure the safety of fruits and vegetables; adopt a risk-based approach to inspections; and authorize mandatory recalls.
For copies of the letters, please contact Scott Openshaw at sopenshaw@gmaonline.org or (202) 295-3957.
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Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe. Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders. In keeping with its founding principles, GMA helps its members produce safe products through a strong and ongoing commitment to scientific research, testing and evaluation and to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. The food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry in the United States generates sales of $2.1 trillion annually, employs 14 million workers and contributes $1 trillion in added value to the economy every year.
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