FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, AUG. 1, 2008

Troxler hosting food safety symposium Aug. 19

Speakers include David Acheson of FDA, Sens. Dole and Burr

RALEIGH – Dr. David Acheson, a central figure in the federal government’s investigation of the recent national salmonella outbreak, will speak to more than 200 representatives of the agriculture and food industries at the fourth annual AgFIRST! symposium Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the State Fairgrounds.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is host of the event, which has the theme “Providing Safe Food for Healthy Families in a Global Economy.” It will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kerr Scott Building. Admission is free, and lunch will be provided, but registration is required.

Acheson, assistant commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will discuss the national strategy to safeguard food.

Also speaking will be Shaun Kennedy, director of the National Center for Food Protection and Defense, and executives from the food processing and retailing industries.

Kennedy will provide insight into the powerful economic impact of consumer confidence in the food supply. Other topics will include North Carolina’s Farm to School Program, efforts to keep N.C. produce safe, food recall initiatives and responding to foreign animal diseases.

Also scheduled to speak are members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation, including Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, and Reps. Howard Coble, Walter Jones and Brad Miller.

The FDA’s investigation into the source of an outbreak of more than 1,300 salmonella illnesses in 43 states highlights the importance of maintaining a safe food supply, Troxler said. “That’s why we’re bringing industry and government together. We all must work together to ensure that America’s food supply is as safe and wholesome as possible,” he said.

To register or learn more about the symposium, visit http://www.ncagr.com/agfirst or contact Christina Lucas at (919) 733-7125, ext. 255.

N.C. Farm Bureau and Southern Farm Bureau Life are the lunch sponsors. Other AgFIRST! sponsors are Carolinas Food Industry Council, N.C. School Nutrition Association, N.C. Egg Association, N.C. Cattlemen’s Association and N.C. Sweet Potato Commission.

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