Distributors Should Meet Bioterrorism Act Requirements: PMA

MICHAEL GARRY

NEWARK, Del. — Produce Marketing Association executive Kathy Means expressed “concern” about a report issued last week by the Office of Inspector General that looked at compliance to the federal Bioterrorism Act.

The report, “Traceability in the Food Supply Chain,” said that 59% of the food facilities operated by manufacturers and distributors in a study on traceability did not provide all of the act’s required contact information about sources, recipients and transporters of food products. Eight of the 40 products studied were produce items.

“Obviously, it’s a concern when the government believes the industry is not complying with the Bioterrorism Act,” Means, PMA’s vice president of government relations and public affairs, told SN. “Everyone should be complying with the Bioterrorism Act. If they’re not, they need to step up.”

PMA’s website, www.pma.com, includes information on the Bioterrorism Act’s requirements, but the association plans to increase its education efforts in regard to federal traceability requirements as well as the Produce Traceability Initiative, which it is helping to promote, she said.

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