WHO: Congressman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) and Florida leaders, representing food producers, processors and food safety experts.

WHAT: Congressman Putnam will conduct a briefing on new food safety legislation he is introducing, the Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards and Targeting Act (Safe FEAST Act).  The measure, which has bipartisan support, will modernize food safety regulations and give the Food and Drug Administration new authority to recall unsafe foods.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Monday March 2

WHERE:           DiMare Fresh, Tampa

                        8150 Eagle Palm Drive

                        Riverview, FL 33569

WHY:  Each year, hundreds of Americans become ill – some very seriously – as a result of food-borne illness.  The most recent outbreak of salmonella poisoning linked to some peanut butter products is blamed for nine deaths and for making more than 650 people sick. Last summer an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul was eventually traced to Mexican-grown jalapeño peppers, but not before the FDA had mistakenly blamed Florida tomatoes, resulting in an estimated $200 million loss to the industry. 

“FDA regulations haven’t been significantly changed since the Eisenhower Administration,” said Putnam.  “The American people need modern regulations that guarantee them a safe and secure food supply.”

Putnam has been outspoken on food safety issues in Congress and sponsored a version of this legislation in 2008. Since 2001, he  has represented the 12^th Congressional District, which includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola counties.