United Fresh Food Safety Strategies Included in White House Food Safety Recommendations

United Fresh Food Safety Strategies Included in White House Food Safety
Recommendations
Produce Industry Proposals Critical for Advancing Consumer Confidence

WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Fresh Produce
Association is gratified to see key produce industry objectives incorporated
in the Obama Administration's food safety recommendations being announced
today at the White House. The White House action is based on recommendations
from the Food Safety Working Group and comes following several months of input
from United and other organizations to improve our nation's food safety
practices.

"Today's White House announcement demonstrates how the government and the food
industry can work together to make meaningful and practical food safety
improvements," said Tom Stenzel, president and CEO at United Fresh Produce
Association. "The administration's plan embraces several key recommendations
advanced by United Fresh to help ensure that food safety initiatives address
produce industry priorities."

The Food Safety Working Group was created by President Barack Obama in March
to develop an action plan for improving food safety. United Fresh participates
on the working group as the only organization specifically representing the
fresh produce industry.

Starting in December 2008, United Fresh has made recommendations to the Obama
Administration to address food safety that are incorporated in today's task
force plan, including: the adoption of commodity-specific food safety
guidance; establishment of a centralized command and control authority to
quickly and efficiently manage food safety actions during outbreaks of food
borne illness and/or product recalls; and granting authority for a food safety
"czar" to ensure a more centralized government authority for directing food
safety actions.

"These recommendations set a strong foundation for the food safety legislative
work on Capitol Hill," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president for public
policy at United Fresh. "We have been successful in making critical
improvements in the House food safety bill and look forward to working with
the Senate and the Obama Administration to help drive improvements in our
nation's food safety practices."

United Fresh Produce Association is the pre-eminent trade association for the
produce industry in managing critical public policy issues; shaping
legislative and regulatory action; providing scientific and technical
leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health; and
developing educational programs and business opportunities for members to
better meet consumer needs for increased consumption of fresh produce.
Founded in 1904, United Fresh represents the interests of member companies
from small family businesses to the largest international corporations
throughout the global fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers,
fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice
operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. For more information,
visit www.unitedfresh.org

SOURCE United Fresh Produce Association

Ray Gilmer, +1-202-303-3400 ext. 425, rgilmer@unitedfresh.org