FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grocery Manufacturers Association Testifies before Congress Regarding Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 Discussion Draft Legislation
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
June 3, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) President and CEO Pamela Bailey today testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health regarding the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 discussion draft legislation introduced by Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry A. Waxman (D-CA):
“Food safety and consumer confidence are top priorities for the food and beverage industry. Americans enjoy one of the safest food supplies in the world, but food and beverage companies recognize that steps can and must be taken to make our food supplies even safer. We applaud Chairman Waxman, Chairman Emeritus Dingell, Congressman Stupak and Congressman Pallone for developing the discussion draft of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, which will provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the resources and authorities it needs to help make prevention the foundation of our food safety approach and bolster consumer confidence in the safety and security of the food supply.
“We strongly support in concept many of the proposals in the draft, including those that require food companies to have a food safety plan; proposals for FDA to set safety standards for fruit and vegetables; proposals to improve the safety of imported food and food ingredients; a risk-based approach to inspection that recognizes the important role played by states and competent foreign authorities; and proposals to give FDA strong enforcement powers to deal with companies that have violated food safety laws, including mandatory recall authority when needed. Together, these reforms will prevent contamination, raise the bar for the entire food industry and deter bad actors. In addition, we have also offered important modifications to the draft to committee staff and will continue to work with them on a bipartisan basis to address those provisions.
“We look forward to working with the committee to quickly enact food safety legislation which makes the prevention of contamination the foundation of our food safety system, boosts consumer confidence and addresses the challenges posed by today’s 21st century food supply.”
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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.
Related GMA Documents dealing with - FOOD SAFETY
NEWS RELEASE
- August 24, 2010 GMA Urges Senate to Vote on Food Safety Bill
- May 24, 2010 Product Recall Management Recommendations Unveiled in New Joint Industry Report
- May 18, 2010 GMA Statement in Response to National Workgroup for Safe Markets BPA Study
- January 21, 2010 GMA Urges Senate to Vote on Food Safety Bill
- November 18, 2009 GMA Statement in Response to Mark-Up of the ‘FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009’ by the Senate HELP Committee
- September 21, 2009 Nationwide System to Speed Product Recalls Unveiled ~ Retailers, Wholesalers and Suppliers Support Standardized Recall Notification System
- August 2, 2009 Grocery Manufacturers Association Applauds Establishment of Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) for Food Safety
Initiative Will Improve Safety of Increasingly Global Food Supply
- July 30, 2009 GMA Applauds U.S. House for Passage of Landmark Food Safety Bill~Calls on Senate to Follow Suit
- July 7, 2009 GMA Issued the Following Statement from President and CEO Pamela Bailey Regarding Today’s White House Food Safety Working Group Recommendations:
- June 17, 2009 GMA Statement in Response to Mark-up of ‘The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009’ by the House Energy and Commerce Committee
- June 10, 2009 GMA Statement on Mark-Up of ‘The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009’ by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
- June 3, 2009 Grocery Manufacturers Association Testifies before Congress Regarding Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 Discussion Draft Legislation
- May 27, 2009 GMA Statement on Draft Food Safety Legislation Released by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, Congressman Henry Waxman
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