Governor Rendell Forms Food Safety Council to Protect Public Health, Food Supply
Posted on: Wednesday, 25 February 2009, 14:02 CST
Agriculture and Health Secretaries to Chair Advisory Council
The first council in the state to focus on food safety, members will advise the Governor on direction for security protocols and practices at all stages of the food supply. The council will also help facilitate coordination among federal, regional, state and local efforts. The council will be chaired by Agriculture Secretary
"A threat to our food supply impacts not only the 63,000 farms in
Council members represent all segments of food production, processing and retailing. They include health and emergency response personnel who are the first point of contact in a foodborne illness outbreak or a suspected threat to the food chain.
The council will be the guiding body behind the state's new multi-agency food safety initiative, the Strategy for Agriculture and Food Excellence, or SAFE.
"Our modern food supply is complex, and includes many steps from the initial production in the field to the final product served to consumers, overseen by an array of federal, state and local agencies," said Agriculture Secretary
The SAFE initiative aims to address threats to the safety and security of the food supply, including both intentional and naturally occurring. The initiative was developed by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health, in coordination with the Office of Homeland Security and
Creation of the Governor's Food Safety Council was the first major recommendation of the SAFE initiative, and will help guide future recommendations.
"By bringing together key people who play a role in food safety and security, we will have the ability to respond more quickly to outbreaks and threats to the food supply," said Health Secretary
In November of last year, secretaries Wolff and James participated in the Department of Agriculture's annual Harvest Tour, which focused on food safety. The cabinet officials visited farms, processing and packaging facilities, food banks and retailers to learn about the measures taken as food travels from producers to consumers. The secretaries will share their experiences with the council.
The 22-member Food Safety Council will meet quarterly, and members of the council will be appointed for terms of two years, serving until their successors have been appointed. The Governor will fill vacancies that may occur and may replace any member of the council at his discretion.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Governor's appointees to the Food Safety Council are listed below:
Dr.
Dr.
Dr.
Lolly Lesher,
Dr.
Dr.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Source: PR Newswire
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