Washington, D.C. – Today, ABA congratulates the Senate on its passage of S. 510, The Food Safety Modernization Act. “This is a sound and balanced approach to food safety in the U.S.,” said ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie. “It gives FDA needed tools to ensure consumers have confidence in our food by building on the industry’s good manufacturing processes.”
ABA’s comprehensive food safety white paper entitled, Addressing Food Safety Issues and Concerns: The Bakers’ Perspective, provided members of Congress with recommendations to improve the U.S. food safety system. These included steps that could be taken for more effective and efficient traceability. “ABA successfully used the white paper as a consensus tool with other food industry organizations, FDA and key congressional members that helped frame the Senate bill,” said ABA Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs Lee Sanders.
ABA will continue its ongoing dialogue with food industry partners and key food safety officials at FDA and on Capitol Hill. ABA and its partners will also continue to work together to improve food safety while not creating overly burdensome regulations. “ABA urges the House of Representatives to quickly pass the Senate bill without changes before adjournment of the 111th Congress,” said Robb MacKie.
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About the American Bakers Association: The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually and employs close to half a million highly skilled people.
Source: The American Bakers Association
