Food Safety Workshops to Cover Topics Vital for Today’s Marketplace
The Tomato Magazine
October 2007
NEWARK, Del. – As part of its ongoing efforts to help produce industry
members to address challenges to the industry’s food safety record,
the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will offer
a series of workshops on food safety topics for attendees of the largest
U.S.-based annual gathering of the industry, the 2007 Fresh Summit International
Convention and Exposition. Fresh Summit will be held Oct. 12-15 at the
George R. Brown Conference Center, Houston, Texas.
The industry education workshops are part of a multimillion dollar, multifaceted
food safety program that was adopted by PMA’s board at the 2006 Fresh
Summit after a series of deadly foodborne illness outbreaks and product
recalls were linked to U.S.-grown leafy greens. PMA’s program includes
industry training and outreach, consumer communications and scientific
research including $2 million to help establish the Center for Produce
Safety at University of California at Davis.
“We are committed to doing whatever it takes to protect public health
and rebuild consumer confi dence in the delicious, healthful products
our members grow and market,” said PMA Vice President of Government
Relations and Public Affairs Kathy Means. “These Fresh Summit workshops
are but one example of our efforts to give our industry the tools it needs
for this modern reality.”
The following workshops will be offered at Fresh Summit. Pre-registration
ends Sept. 28; after that date, interested persons can register on-site
in Houston.
Traceability: A Choice or a Necessity? This session, held Friday,
Oct. 12, 2:45-4:00 p.m., provides attendees with an understanding of full
supply chain traceability and how it works within the Best Practices Framework
established last year by PMA and Canadian Produce Marketing Association.
The workshop provides an opportunity to understand the benefi ts and effectiveness
of a traceability program, and how to implement one. This workshop is
designed to be applicable throughout the produce supply chain.
Food Safety: Change Is in the Air, Everywhere: A must-attend for
everyone in the produce industry, this presentation will keep you ahead
of the curve by informing you of updates, changes and breaking news related
to food safety. PMA Senior Vice President of Industry Products and Services
Lorna Christie and PMA Vice President of Government Relations and Public
Affairs Kathy Means will offer details on the latest information available
on food safety and cover the areas of greatest importance for the industry
supply chain. The session takes place on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9:35-10:50
a.m.
Inside the Minds of Retailers and Consumers: This 90-minute session
from 9:15-10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, will focus on how two different
audiences --retailers and consumers--really perceive organics and food
safety in the produce department. Ed McLaughlin, Debra Perosio, Ph.D.,
and Kristen Park of Cornell University’s Food Industry Management
Programs will share the results of a recently conducted survey aimed at
determining how well key produce executives really know their shoppers.
After hearing results of the study, a retail panel will react to the findings.
Put New Food Safety Technologies to Work for You: Learn more at
innovative emerging technologies that address today’s prominent food
safety issues and concerns. PMA Vice President of Industry Technology
and Standards Gary Fleming will be joined by UC Davis Center for Consumer
Research Director Christine Bruhn, UC Davis Postharvest Technology Research
and Information Center Executive Director Dr. James Gorny and Dr. Moon
S. Kim, Ph.D., research biophysicist/project leader at the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service, to present this workshop
held Sunday, Oct. 14, 9:15-10:45 a.m. Along with new technologies that
are currently available, this informative session, moderated by U.S. Foodservice
Vice President of Food Safety and Quality Assurance Jorge Hernandez, will
also reveal those that are in the development stage. Updates and changes
to other technologies--particularly irradiation--will also be discussed.
For more information about the 2007 Fresh Summit International Convention
& Exposition, visit www.pma.com/freshsummit.
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade
association serving more than 2,100 companies representing every segment
of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year
round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption,
build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities.
For more information, visit www.pma.com.
© 2007 Columbia Publishing
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