November 6, 2001
The Honorable Tom Ridge
Assistant to the President and Director
Office of Homeland Security
The White House
Washington, DC 20502
Dear Governor:
Among the many issues you and your staff must quickly address is food security – ensuring that all segments of our food supply, from the farm to the table, are protected from potential threats and continue to maintain the highest safety standards.
We are writing to offer our knowledge and expertise to you as part of your mission to improve communication and coordination of overall food security efforts. Our Alliance for Food Security — a group of business, government and other organizations dedicated to food safety and security — could help comprise any advisory committee or task force you may wish to establish on food security In conjunction with that, we also request that you designate a senior member of your staff to work with the Alliance. Finally, we respectfully request an opportunity to brief you and your staff on the work of the Alliance and discuss how best we can assist you and your office in accomplishing your critically important mission.
The Alliance was started to ensure that both government agencies and the food industry have access to all the information needed to assess new threats and develop effective risk management plans. Alliance participants include technical and regulatory experts that industry and the government rely on to ensure the safety of our food supply. The Alliance process, thanks to the cooperation of such agencies as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Defense (DOD), and others, is working to ensure that our food supply remains the safest in the world.
We believe that by including the Alliance in your own program for food security, communication and coordination with both the industry and government agencies, from the local to the national level, will be more efficient and effective. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity, and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
| American Association of Meat Processors
American Bakers Association American Beekeepers Federation Association for Dressings and Sauces American Frozen Food Institute American Meat Institute American Sheep Industry Association American Spice Trade Association American Veterinary Medical Association Calorie Control Council Chocolate Manufacturers Association Concord Grape Association Dairy Management, Inc. Flavor & Extract Manuf. Assoc. of the US Food Distributors International Food Marketing Institute Grocery Manufacturers of America Institute of Shortening And Edible Oils Int. Assoc. of Color Manufacturers International Bottled Water Association International Dairy Foods Association International Food Additives Council International Fresh-Cut Produce Assoc. International Jelly & Preserve Association International Mass Retail Association Nat. Assoc. of Margarine Manufacturers National Chicken Council National Confectioners Association |
National Fisheries Institute
National Food Processors Association National Grain and Feed Association National Grocers Association National Institute of Oilseed Products National Meat Association National Milk Producers Federation National Oilseed Processors Assoc. National Pasta Association National Pecan Shellers Association National Restaurant Association National Soft Drink Association National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. National Turkey Federation National Council of Chain Restaurants-A Div. of the Nat’l Retail Fed. North American Millers Association Pet Food Institute Processed Apples Institute Produce Marketing Association Research Chefs Association Salt Institute Snack Food Association Sugar Association (The) United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Assoc. US Tuna Foundation Vinegar Institute |
