ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association here will provide an overview of fresh produce practices next week to a new government inter-agency advisory committee formed to address foodborne illness.
crobiological Criteria for Foods, it was formed to advise the government as well as the Centers for Disease Control and the National Academy of Sciences.
United said it will provide technical information to a subcommittee, called the Fresh Produce Subcommittee, which will specifically address the issues involved with the preparation of fruits and vegetables.
The subcommittee invited United to make a presentation during its meeting Oct. 16, to cover such issues as production, handling and distribution systems. United said it will also provide information on the inherent safety of produce.
"This is the critical opportunity for United to work with FDA and CDC," said Tom Stenzel, president of United. "The findings of the NACMCF Subcommittee could have very serious implications for our industry."
Several United members will be involved in making the presentation. In addition, United has retained Doug Archer, former deputy director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Archer is currently professor and chairman of the Food Science & Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
United said the issue of foodborne illnesses has become a greater concern throughout the food industry.
