FPFC and United co-host food safety webcast
FPFC and United co-host food safety webcast
LA MIRADA, CA " Food safety took center stage during an ambitious webcast co-hosted by the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, bridging the 3,000-mile gap between the headquarters of the two organizations.
The Feb. 2 bi-monthly membership luncheon meeting of the FPFC, held here at the Gateway Plaza Holiday Inn, provided a live audience for the webcast, which electronically brought together experts from various parts of the country.
Although there were a couple of technological glitches, the webcast began with a news clip of the previous secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services, Tommy Thompson, making an infamous remark as he was leaving the office in December that he could not understand why the U.S. food supply has not already been attacked by terrorists, implying that it was an easy target. The new HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, in a taped presentation, set the stage for the ensuing debate on the topic of food safety as he took the audience through a quick outline of which steps are being taken to guard against bioterrorism.
Following his remarks, the chief medical officer and director of the Office of Food Safety for the Food & Drug Administration reviewed the efforts of the FDA to protect the food supply. Dr. David Acheson said that his agency has gone about the business of identifying the most likely food targets of a terrorist attack and has initiated steps to mitigate the risks. Although he believes the government has done much to lessen the risk, he said that there is still much more to do.
On the top of Dr. Acheson?s list for future action was better communication with all stakeholders in the food-supply chain in an effort to develop "shields? against an attack and to make sure that food suppliers are well prepared for any potential bioterrorism event.
Jan DeLyser of the California Avocado Commission and a United board member, who moderated the session, introduced three panelists who commented briefly on how their specific segments of the food industry were dealing with bioterrorism.
Ernie McCullough of the fast-food chain Arby?s discussed his firm?s efforts to deal with bioterrorism concerns. He indicated that education was the key. Since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Arby?s has launched an intensive education effort designed to familiarize everyone along the food-distribution channel from field to fork about potential dangers and Arby?s plan to address any issues. In addition, the fast-food giant, which has 3,400 restaurants nationwide, has added a formal food-security component to its audit program that it rigorously applies to its vendors.
Bill Pool of Wegmans Food Market represented the supermarket viewpoint. Like Arby?s, Wegmans has instituted numerous food security efforts over the last three years. He said that the efforts of his company in this area are much different than they once were and are constantly changing as this is a work in progress. "We ask a lot more questions [of Wegmans? vendors]," he quipped.
From an association standpoint, Donna Garren, vice president of scientific and technical affairs for United, said that the association is ready, willing and able to help its members institute food-safety programs. She said that the association is continually working with FDA and other agencies to make sure "we are up to speed and up to date." This information is then relayed to the industry.
The United official said that the food industry is acutely aware that consumer confidence in its products is very important, and all steps must be taken to assure that. The luncheon attracted an overflow crowd of more than 225, with many others tuning in via the web. In her closing remarks, Ms. DeLyser promised that the glitches would be worked out and similar events will be held in the future.
The webcast was actually a two-part program with the second part scheduled for the following day and dealing with the FDA?s final rules regarding the obligations of companies under the bioterrorism act. The program was designed to inform companies of what they have to do under the new rules and to make sure they are prepared "when government comes to inspect your facility and records."
The Feb. 2 bi-monthly membership luncheon meeting of the FPFC, held here at the Gateway Plaza Holiday Inn, provided a live audience for the webcast, which electronically brought together experts from various parts of the country.
Although there were a couple of technological glitches, the webcast began with a news clip of the previous secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services, Tommy Thompson, making an infamous remark as he was leaving the office in December that he could not understand why the U.S. food supply has not already been attacked by terrorists, implying that it was an easy target. The new HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, in a taped presentation, set the stage for the ensuing debate on the topic of food safety as he took the audience through a quick outline of which steps are being taken to guard against bioterrorism.
Following his remarks, the chief medical officer and director of the Office of Food Safety for the Food & Drug Administration reviewed the efforts of the FDA to protect the food supply. Dr. David Acheson said that his agency has gone about the business of identifying the most likely food targets of a terrorist attack and has initiated steps to mitigate the risks. Although he believes the government has done much to lessen the risk, he said that there is still much more to do.
On the top of Dr. Acheson?s list for future action was better communication with all stakeholders in the food-supply chain in an effort to develop "shields? against an attack and to make sure that food suppliers are well prepared for any potential bioterrorism event.
Jan DeLyser of the California Avocado Commission and a United board member, who moderated the session, introduced three panelists who commented briefly on how their specific segments of the food industry were dealing with bioterrorism.
Ernie McCullough of the fast-food chain Arby?s discussed his firm?s efforts to deal with bioterrorism concerns. He indicated that education was the key. Since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Arby?s has launched an intensive education effort designed to familiarize everyone along the food-distribution channel from field to fork about potential dangers and Arby?s plan to address any issues. In addition, the fast-food giant, which has 3,400 restaurants nationwide, has added a formal food-security component to its audit program that it rigorously applies to its vendors.
Bill Pool of Wegmans Food Market represented the supermarket viewpoint. Like Arby?s, Wegmans has instituted numerous food security efforts over the last three years. He said that the efforts of his company in this area are much different than they once were and are constantly changing as this is a work in progress. "We ask a lot more questions [of Wegmans? vendors]," he quipped.
From an association standpoint, Donna Garren, vice president of scientific and technical affairs for United, said that the association is ready, willing and able to help its members institute food-safety programs. She said that the association is continually working with FDA and other agencies to make sure "we are up to speed and up to date." This information is then relayed to the industry.
The United official said that the food industry is acutely aware that consumer confidence in its products is very important, and all steps must be taken to assure that. The luncheon attracted an overflow crowd of more than 225, with many others tuning in via the web. In her closing remarks, Ms. DeLyser promised that the glitches would be worked out and similar events will be held in the future.
The webcast was actually a two-part program with the second part scheduled for the following day and dealing with the FDA?s final rules regarding the obligations of companies under the bioterrorism act. The program was designed to inform companies of what they have to do under the new rules and to make sure they are prepared "when government comes to inspect your facility and records."
