PMA renews call for risk-, science-based food safety reform

Bryan Silbermann, president & CEO of Produce Marketing Association (PMA), today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Senate's passage of S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act:
"PMA has long and energetically been engaged in efforts to modernize food safety laws to protect public health and enhance consumer confidence. We supported the original Senate bill, but unfortunately, recent language added to that bill did not align with PMA's fundamental position of risk- and science-based food safety efforts, resulting in our recent opposition. We stand firm that the entire produce industry must be committed to providing safe fruits and vegetables, no exceptions, because pathogens don't discriminate based on company size, commodity or distance to market.
"As we continue our work to protect against the foodborne outbreaks that have sickened consumers and jeopardized their confidence in our industry, I want to thank everyone who worked so tirelessly to get us to this point.
"The House of Representatives will now consider the matter, having passed its own bill more than a year ago. We look forward to working with all interested parties on food safety reform that truly protects public health and confidence."