FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GMA Committed to Working with Obama Administration to Improve Food Safety
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) President and CEO Pam Bailey today sent a letter to President Barack Obama in support of the President’s proposal to create a food safety working group to coordinate federal food safety efforts.
“Americans enjoy one of the safest food supplies in the world, but food and beverage companies recognize that steps must be taken to make our food supply even safer. Ensuring the safety of our products – and maintaining the confidence of consumers – is the single most important goal of the food and beverage industry. Product safety is the foundation of consumer trust, and our industry devotes enormous resources to ensure that our products are safe.
“Our industry strongly supports efforts to continually improve the safety of America’s food supplies and we urge the Administration to continue to make the prevention of contamination the foundation of our nation’s food safety strategies.”
Within the letter GMA offered the president six specific recommendations: 1) Increase FDA food-related spending; 2) Require food safety plans; 3) Require foreign suppler safety plans and build foreign capacity; 4) Regulate fruits and vegetables; 5) Adopt a risk-based approach to inspections; and 6) Authorize mandatory recalls.
For a copy of the letter please contact Scott Openshaw at (202) 295-3957 or visit www.gmaonline.org/publications/Food_Safety_Letter_to_Obama.pdf.
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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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