Washington - The Grocery Manufacturers of America dubbed the "Consumer Food Safety Act" an example of "Chicken Little" tactics designed to alarm consumers, but that ignore initiatives by the food industry to combat food-borne illnesses. In response to the legislation introduced on Capitol Hill today, GMA outlined a list of targeted efforts by the food industry to protect consumers.
"Since American consumers first began shopping in their local grocery stores, the food industry has initiated and implemented a number of science- based programs to provide consumers with the safest food supply in the world. Twenty-five years ago, a GMA member company developed a widely used program called "HACCP" (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), assuring food safety at all critical junctures -- from the farm to the processing plant to the store shelf. HAACP is preventive in nature, and helps identify and eliminate the risk of pathogens in a plant or truck," said Dr. Steve Ziller, GMA's Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs.
According to Dr. Ziller, HAACP is only the "tip of the iceberg" in food safety. The industry is also:
Investigating cutting-edge food safety -- irradiation to kill bacteria in meat. Moving to state-of-the-art techniques such as the new Preempt spray for baby chicks to prevent salmonella. Communicating with consumers each year about the proper use and handling of food, particularly fresh meat, poultry and seafoods, through numerous educational campaigns. Analyzing current food safety policies through the newly formed Food Safety Task Force, composed of 13 allied food trade associations, experts in the technical and regulatory arenas. Providing technical recommendations for the President's Food Safety Program.
"We would urge the sponsors of the "Consumer Food Safety Act" to tour one of America's state-of-the- art food manufacturing facilities. The employees in those plants take great pride in ensuring the food they process is safe, not just for America's consumers, but for their families and children," Dr. Ziller said.
GMA is the world's largest association of food, beverage and consumer brand companies. With U.S. sales of more than $430 billion, GMA members employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50 states. The organization applies legal, scientific and political expertise from its member companies to vital food and public policy issues affecting the industry. Representing global marketers, GMA speaks for food and consumer brand manufacturers at the state, federal and international levels on legislative and regulatory issues. The association also leads efforts to increase safety, productivity and efficiency in the food industry.
Meat Industry Insights News Service
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