UNITED FRESH’S STENZEL TESTIFIES

February 12, 2007


UNITED FRESH’S STENZEL TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FOOD SAFETY
Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh Produce Association, testified at a Feb. 8 food safety hearing of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture.
“Food safety is a process, not a static achievement. We are on a continuum, constantly striving toward perfection, while understanding scientifically that perfection – or zero risk – is not possible,” he told the group. “Because our products are enjoyed by consumers in their fresh and natural state without cooking, we have to be right every single time – not one in a million, or even one in a billion. But as long as there is the potential of even one individual getting sick, we will do all we can to prevent that from happening.”
Stenzel outlined the four principals United Fresh’s board of directors had endorsed and announced in late January: harmonized food safety, federal oversight, assured compliance and a commodity-specific and scientific approach.
He also spoke on the topic of whether a single food safety agency would better serve the public. United Fresh believes FDA has clear food safety regulatory authority over the produce industry, he told the panel, adding that “the most important issue is whether FDA is adequately funded, has sufficient staff with scientific training and experience in the produce sector of the food industry, has research dollars available to address key questions, has strong working agreements with the states to provide support as needed, and has the commitment of the President and full support of Congress.”

ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP

(Members-Only articles are indicated in bold.)