FMI Applauds Produce Safety Initiative

WASHINGTON -- An industry proposal seeking science-based produce safety standards gained an important ally yesterday, when the Food Marketing Institute declared its support for the initiative, announced last week by the United Fresh Produce Association. FMI applauded United for taking a leadership role in developing guiding principles and believes that the developed regulatory framework will strengthen food supply safety, Tim Hammonds said in a release. On Friday, the board of directors at United Fresh adopted four principles that form the basis for its program: Standards must be applied across the country; must not depend on marketing programs or voluntary certification; must allow for commodity-specific, science-based food safety practices; must be open for at the federal regulation.