ARLINGTON, Va. — Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer of the Food Marketing Institute, is the new chairman of the Partnership for Food Safety Education’s board of directors, succeeding outgoing Chairman Bryan Silbermann, president and chief executive officer, Produce Marketing Association.

Pamela Bailey, president and chief executive officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, is PFSE’s new vice chairman. The changes take effect Tuesday.

PFSE is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health through research-based, actionable consumer food safety education. It is comprised of industry, consumer, health and scientific professional organizations and government agency representatives who work cooperatively to develop messages and education campaigns to remind consumers about the importance of safe food handling to good health.

Sarasin was appointed to the partnership’s board of directors in 2008. “This is a unique time for the partnership and its members as the administration and Congress evaluate how to improve food safety,” said Sarasin. “The entire food industry has a role to play and it is important that we work together — retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and our government partners — to continue to develop innovative consumer education messages and tools to protect our customers.”

Bailey was recently appointed to the partnership’s board. “Food safety is GMA’s and the food and beverage industry’s No. 1 priority,” said Bailey. “PSFE’s vital mission is critical to helping ensure that consumers are educated about the best ways to protect their families from foodborne illness.”

PFSE designed the award-winning Fight BAC! campaign to promote the proper handling of fruits and vegetables to ensure they are cleaned and stored correctly. It also developed the Be Food Safe campaign in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinforce the four basic consumer safe handling practices of clean, separate, cook and chill.

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