FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grocery Manufacturers Association Testifies Before Congress Regarding Food Safety Oversight
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
March 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Senior Vice President and Chief Science & Regulatory Affairs Operating Officer Dr. Craig Henry today testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee regarding food safety oversight:
“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.
“Industry is prepared to work collaboratively with government to identify and address gaps in our current traceability system, including measures that will ensure that responsibility for traceability is shared throughout the supply chain, measures that will improve the interoperability of current and future traceability systems, and that which build upon and encourage industry innovation. In particular, GMA strongly supports House and Senate proposals to develop and test promising new traceability systems through pilot programs in the produce sector.
“We are committed to working with Congress to enact food safety legislation that will continually improve the safety of America’s food supplies.”
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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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