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DENVER (September 21, 1999) - The Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) has built its action plan around current industry priorities of research and communication. The four action areas identified at its meeting last week to implement over the next six to 12 months are:
Continue to coordinate with policy-making agencies to encourage the recognition and implementation of sound science into the global food safety standards and regulatory policy.
E-coli Research -- Explore the opportunities to stop E.coli as far back on the production line as possible, and identifying new intervention technologies.
General Research -- Support future research on additional pathogens that threaten the safety of our beef and beef products, including microbiological testing of ground beef products.
Communications -- Continue to support national and international partnerships to educate consumers about safe handling and cooking of food; and expand the awareness of tools available to the industry during recalls and foodborne outbreaks to minimize confusion in the marketplace.
“The members of the council remain dedicated to developing action steps to minimize the impact of E coli O157:H7," said Chuck Schroeder, BIFSCo Chairman and chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. “This group, which represents every segment of the beef industry, effectively serves as a clearinghouse of ideas and solutions, and continues to be a catalyst to keep resources on track and targeted.”
-- NCBA --
Initiated in 1898, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry. NCBA is producer-directed but consumer-focused, with offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington D.C. |