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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The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer products companies. The Association promotes sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and growth and helps ensure the safety and security of consumer packaged goods through scientific excellence. The GMA board of directors is comprised of chief executive officers from the Association’s member companies. The $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation’s economy. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmaonline.org
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