WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) issued the following statement by its President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey in response to draft food safety legislation released today by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA):

“Food safety is our number one priority and we share the broad goals of the draft legislation released today by Chairman Waxman. The bill contains many of GMA’s food safety proposals, and we look forward to working with the Chairman to enact food safety legislation that makes prevention of contamination the foundation of our food safety strategies.

“At the urging of industry and consumer groups, Congress has already increased food safety spending from $439 million to $649 million over the last three years. If Congress enacts the FY 2010 request proposed by FDA and the Obama Administration, FDA’s food safety appropriations would increase to $783 million – an increase of more than 78% in just four years. Those appropriated funds would allow the FDA to more frequently inspect every food manufacturing facility in the nation. We are concerned that the draft legislation released today by Chairman Waxman proposes significant new fees on food companies and ultimately consumers at a time when they can least afford it and in the face of an unprecedented increase in appropriated funding for FDA food safety activities. In addition, like many consumer groups, we are concerned about the inherent conflict of interest created by asking industry to fund government inspections. We are also concerned about provisions that increase the cost of food without improving the safety of the food supply.

“Industry and government both have unique and important roles when it comes to food safety. Because consumer confidence is the foundation of everything we do, manufacturers take food safety very seriously and invest their reputations and resources in producing safe products. Likewise, strong government oversight is a critical and necessary part of our nation’s food safety net.

“Our industry is increasing its investment in food safety and is prepared to make additional investments to continually improve the safety of our food supplies. We look forward to working with the Committee to enact food safety legislation that boosts consumer confidence and addresses the challenges posed by today’s global and complex food supply.”

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NEWS RELEASE
• 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