PMA joins together with 21 organizations in a joint letter to Congress, express support for FDA’s $109.5 million FSMA funding request

In a joint letter sent to Congressional leaders, Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has voiced their support for increasing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) food safety budget by $109.5 million, for Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) implementation. The letter is signed by a cross-section of food organizations from across the nation. The letter addressed to the House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers and Ranking Member Nita M. Lowey, and the Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran and Ranking Member Barbara A. Mikulski, the groups underscored that the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) makes  prevention a  cornerstone of our nation’s food safety strategy, citing, “It includes new requirements for manufacturers and provides the FDA with the authorities it needs to adequately fulfill its food safety mission. This new focus on prevention and expanded authority as granted by Congress necessitates an update and increase to FDA’s food safety tools, from regulations to infrastructure.” Read the full letter on PMA’s website. “FDA and stakeholders have put a great deal of time, effort and thought into development of   regulations that protect public health and assure confidence in our nation’s food supply. Those regulations – and consumer safety – are critically dependent on a properly funded implementation plan,” says Dr. Jim Gorny, vice president of food safety and technology for PMA. FDA has outlined funding specifically to address the following priorities: Inspection modernization and training; advancing the National Integrated Food Safety System; education and technical assistance for industry; technical staffing and guidance development at FDA; building the new import safety system; and risk analytics and evaluation. Gorny adds, “In the near future we’ll be sharing our thoughts on funding allocations and prioritization to support FSMA implementation based on the needs of the produce industry.” FSMA has been prioritized as a key focus for the PMA as food safety remains a top priority for industry, officials say. Through its work, termed ‘Issues Leadership,’ PMA’s approach to issues relies on a combination of the association’s strengths and the strengths of its member leaders, to focus on areas where together, they can make the most impact.