NEW COUNCIL TO ADDRESS FOOD SAFETY CHALLENGES

DENVER, Oct. 14, 1997 -- A new beef-industry-supported task force on food safety is set to seize the challenge of reducing E. coli O157:H7 in beef products. The Beef Industry Food Safety Council, created following an Oct. 6 meeting of industry leaders called by Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson, will develop a comprehensive strategy for research, education and consumer information to assure consumers of beef's safety and wholesomeness.

   Chuck Schroeder, chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), has been named chairman of the Council. He said a broad base of expertise will be available to tackle the problem.

   "We will appoint representatives from the beef producer, packer, processor, retailer, foodservice, research/technology and government segments of this industry," said Schroeder. "Everyone realizes the serious nature of this issue, and knows it will take participation and effort by all who are involved with beef products to make the strategies we develop successful."

   Council members will be appointed by Oct. 24, Schroeder said. The first meeting of the group, probably by teleconference, will take place the week of Oct. 27 to define its strategic objectives, establish an operating structure and create a timetable for Council efforts.

   According to Schroeder, Council objectives will fall within four key result areas. In research, emphasis will be placed on what is known and what can realistically be discovered. In education, objectives will include identifying what the different segments of the beef industry should know or implement to reduce risks. In consumer information, messages for consumers will be explored that will increase the consumer's knowledge about beef and the industry. Finally, while Schroeder acknowledged that organizations within the group will have their own policies and policy processes, he said potential government regulations and actions will be discussed that would support implementation of strategies developed by the Council.

   The core staffing team for the Council will be provided by NCBA, with assistance from other beef related organizations such as the American Meat Institute, the National Meat Association and the North American Meat Processors. Several state organizations and state departments of agriculture, including those in Nebraska, also have offered assistance.

   Schroeder said all segments of the beef industry have actively addressed food safety for many years, and, through this Council, will continue to aggressively explore ways of cutting the risks associated with food-borne pathogens. "The beef industry will always be in the forefront on this issue, and must take every step possible to reassure the consumer of the wholesomeness of its products. There are certainly things our industry can do to improve on beef's excellent record in this area."

   Initiated in 1898, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the marketing organization and trade association for America's one million cattle farmers and ranchers. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.