Obama Administration Launches Food Safety Working

New Web Site, www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov, Will Serve as Hub for Citizens and Stakeholders to Stay Informed and Provide Input

Responding to President Obama’s directive to upgrade the nation’s food safety system, the White House Food Safety Working Group, led by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, launched a Web site to provide information about the group’s activities and progress.

“The Working Group will be an important tool for gathering ideas as to how we can strengthen the food safety system to be more accountable and accessible to the public it protects, flexible enough to quickly resolve new safety challenges that emerge, and able to meet the robust needs of our rapidly changing world,” said Vilsack.

“Families have enough to worry about. You shouldn’t have to wonder if the food you buy at the grocery store is safe,” said Sebelius. “Our Working Group is working hard to modernize our food safety system and protect the American people. The Web site will help ensure all Americans can share their thoughts and contribute to this important process.”

The Web site, www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov will be an important resource for people who want to stay apprised of the Working Group’s progress, learn about food safety tools and practices, and share their views on how to improve the food safety system. The Web site features social bookmarking tools including an RSS feed and a widget that can be downloaded to help individuals stay informed.

Last week, representatives from the White House Food Safety Working Group met and outlined principles to meet the President’s goal. In the weeks to come, the Food Safety Working Group will provide additional opportunities to engage stakeholders in conversations and help shape these principles.

A comprehensive approach to an improved national food safety system links statutory modernization to regulatory actions and public health outcomes. The public health approach that serves as the basis of the Working Group’s efforts focuses resources according to risk, applies the best available science and high quality data to the decision-making process, and strives for seamless coordination among federal agencies and their state, local and international public health partners.