News Room

Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association Call for Passage of Food Safety Bill

November 29, 2010
ARLINGTON, VA -- November 24, 2010 -- In a letter today to Senator Harry Reid and Senator Mitch McConnell, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) on behalf of America’s food retailers and manufacturers, called for the passage of S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

In the attached joint letter from GMA President and CEO, Pamela G. Bailey and FMI President and CEO, Leslie Sarasin, the Senate is urged to pass this important bipartisan legislation. The letter also applauds the Senators Reid and McConnell for their efforts to permit consideration of the bill when to Senate returns next week.

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act will provide FDA with the resources and authorities the agency needs to help strengthen our nation’s food safety system by making prevention the focus of our food safety strategies. The Senate should vote on this important, bipartisan bill as early as possible during the lame duck session.

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act will enhance public health and safety by:

•          Requiring all food companies to develop a food safety plan

•          Adopting a risk-based approach to inspection

•          Improving the safety of imported food and food ingredients

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its nearly 1,250 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate more than 25,000 retail food stores and almost 22,000 pharmacies with a combined annual sales volume of nearly $650 billion.  FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent operators. Its international membership includes 126 companies from more than 65 countries. FMI’s nearly 330 associate members include the supplier partners of its retail and wholesale members. 

###