HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 17 PA-food-safety-tour
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff made four stops in western Pennsylvania today as part of a statewide tour to gain insight and raise public awareness about important food safety issues.
The tour is part of the Strategy for Agriculture and Food Excellence, or SAFE, initiative, which is a comprehensive plan to ensure a safe and abundant supply of food for the commonwealths' citizens.
"Our complex and modern food system depends on multiple factors like careful preparation, handling and service along every stage of the food supply chain," said Wolff. "Pennsylvania's food producers, companies, manufacturers and organizations are already taking a number of steps to ensure that food grown or processed here -- or those supplies that come in from across our borders -- are safe. This tour is an important part of our efforts to better understand that system and identify ways to improve it, if necessary."
During the final stop of the tour, Wolff visited the HJ Heinz Co. and the Eat'n Park Hospitality Group in Pittsburgh, the Shop'n Save grocery chain headquarters in New Stanton, and the Westmoreland County Food Bank in Delmont.
"Food safety is a top priority for ensuring public health," Wolff said. "From farm fields to the dinner plate, every participant involved in the supply chain plays a key role in the food production and safety process -- from producers and processors to state and federal agencies to consumers preparing food at home.
"The SAFE initiative sends a clear message to all Pennsylvanians that we are committed to protecting their health through a safe, nutritious and abundant food supply."
The tour wrapped up with a public roundtable discussion featuring consumer testimony about food safety at the Westmoreland County Conservation District in Greensburg.
"The roundtable meetings have provided the opportunity for important dialog between all the players involved in providing a safe food supply," said Wolff. "The constructive input we've gathered through this process will be brought back to Harrisburg to develop consumer-focused food safety and security protocols and practices, helping to strengthen the security of our food supply by facilitating coordination among federal, regional, state and local efforts."
SAFE is a cooperative effort between the Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture and Health, in coordination with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, as well as input from food processors, retailers and health officials.
CONTACT:
Jean Kummer
717-787-5085
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
