United Fresh President Tom Stenzel was invited to provide the produce industry's views on food safety in a White House listening session Wednesday, hosted by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, co-chairs of President Obama's Food Safety Working Group.

A small group of stakeholders including leaders from government agencies such as FDA, CDC, and USDA, Congressional members and staff, state and local health officials, public health, industry and consumer groups was assembled to discuss potential recommendations to the President that the Working Group is considering.  The meeting featured an opening plenary session followed by breakout groups discussing issues ranging from preventive controls and risk-based inspection to enhanced surveillance systems and the need for better coordination among federal, state and local officials.

"I was honored to be invited, and this actually proved to be a very useful, open dialogue among Congressional staff, federal and state officials, consumer advocates, and industry in identifying core areas of agreement, as well as a few sticky wickets," Stenzel said.  "I really believe the Administration is going to have significant influence over the course of eventual Congressional legislation, and it's good to see them weighing into the discussion with both feet. Many of the folks we've been working with at FDA, CDC and USDA clearly understand the need for a risk-based, commodity specific approach to produce, and greater expertise and coordination in addressing outbreaks if they occur.  Their leadership in crafting a final bill that passes Congress is critical."

The President's Working Group also launched a new website today, www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov, to provide information to the public and receive individual comments.  The group is expected to make formal recommendations for food safety reform to President Obama in the next several months.