For Immediate Release:
July 8, 2009

Contact:
Kit Wagar
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Governor’s summit will focus on safety of Missouri’s food supply

From spinach to chocolate chip cookie dough, the wide range of contaminated food items yanked from store shelves in recent years has many people worried about the safety of the food they eat.

Those concerns will be the focus of a statewide conference July 21-22 in Jefferson City.

The Governor’s Summit on Food Safety will bring together health officials, consumer advocates, farmers, ranchers and food industry representatives from throughout the state to review current food safety standards and look at ways to improve Missouri’s system.

“The food industry is essential to Missouri’s economy, and ensuring a safe food supply is vital to the health of our citizens as well as millions of customers worldwide who purchase Missouri-made food products,” Gov. Jay Nixon said. “We want to make sure Missouri continues to have the safest food supply possible.”

Food recalls and outbreaks of food-borne illnesses have caused many Americans to question the safety of the nation’s food supply. A recent Harris poll found that 73 percent of those polled say food safety is as big a concern as the war on terrorism.

”Food safety plays an important role in protecting not only consumers, but Missouri’s agricultural industry,” said Dr. Jon Hagler, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Margaret Donnelly, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, said everyone involved in getting food to our dinner tables was encouraged to attend the food safety summit. The event will touch on issues affecting the entire industry, from growers and processors to food handlers and health inspectors,

“Food safety is a complicated issue because the food industry is large and complex with many food products coming from national and international sources,” Donnelly said. “This summit will bring together people from throughout the state who work to keep our food safe.”

The conference will be held at the Truman State Office Building in Jefferson City. Registration is free.

For more information or to register for the conference, go to www.dhss.mo.gov/FoodSafety.