Necessary next step

I just got off the phone with Donna Garren of the National Restaurant Association. We talked about the association's positions relative to produce safety. In short, the NRA is supportive of what California leafy greens handlers and Florida tomato growers are doing to institute state programs to implement food safety standards.

However, Garren said that won't be good enough in the long term. The NRA is looking for FDA regulation of fresh produce, notably HACCP-oriented regulations accompanied with FDA authority to enforce them. She said the "seafood model" of HACCP regulation is what she has in mind for the fresh produce industry.

"We need to see more federal oversight from the FDA and we will work with Congress and the produce industry to pursue regulations as a necessary step," she said.

Unlike her old boss Tom Stenzel at United, Garren doesn't feel FDA guidance is enough oversight. "While FDA on many occasions has said the fastest way to pursue change is (through guidance), I think the time has come that we need to take the necessary time and Congress needs to invest the necessary dollars to encourage regulation."

TK: Garren's "necessary next step" of FDA regulation is not that far removed from that United has asked for - and Stenzel and indicated the industry would consider the seafood model as the food safety discussion continues - but the spectre of broad FDA regulation over all produce items may be more than the industry has bargained for.