United Fresh Produce Association issued the following statement from Tom Stenzel, president & C.E.O., regarding the June 10, 2009 markup of H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 by the House Subcommittee on Health:

"Today’s markup represents another important step in transforming our nation’s food safety laws and addressing needed improvements for ensuring consumer confidence in our food safety system. We applaud the subcommittee, both Democrats and Republicans, for taking this important step and creating a strong legislative framework that will help modernize our country’s food safety programs.

"While this legislation is still a work in progress, we are pleased that the committee has addressed some of the key issues we think are important in this bill, including providing for commodity specific, science-based standards for produce by the federal government, allowing for industry-driven advances on traceability, and targeted research funding that will help drive important food safety innovations in the produce industry.

"There are still opportunities to strengthen this legislation and we look forward to working with the Energy and Commerce Committee and Congress to develop additional enhancements that will broaden support for this important bill. 

"Food safety remains our industry’s top priority. The men and women who grow, pack, process and deliver fresh produce are committed to providing consumers with safe and wholesome foods."