US: Food safety institute receives US$1m funding

A US food safety training institute has received US$1m in funding from the government for the training of state and local food safety officials.

The International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) announced yesterday (12 October) that the US Senate and House of Representatives has passed legislation that provides funding for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, rural development programmes, and related agencies.

The bill will now be sent to President Obama for his signature.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Stephen Benoit, president and COO of the National Centre for Food Protection and founding member of the board of directors of the IFPTI said: "The global interdependence of the food supply gives rise to unprecedented challenges for food protection professionals. One has to look no further than recent outbreaks involving Salmonella, E. coli, and melamine to grasp the significant health and economic impacts of a contaminated food supply."

He added: "The tireless efforts of Representative Mark Schauer and Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin to secure funding for the institute demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply."

Currently, state employees perform over half of all Food and Drug Administration inspections at domestic food processing plants. There are currently no mandatory federal training requirements for the food protection professionals and training varies widely by state.

The WK Kellogg Foundation said it is "encouraged" by the funding and that it is a "strong vote of confidence" for the people of Battle Creek and the food leadership legacy that exists in the region.

The foundation's investment commitment of $35m for Battle Creek "revitalisation" included an allocation of $2m for the creation of the Institute.

"The commitment of private and public sector resources has been - and will continue to be - fundamental to the success of this effort," the company said. "Several Michigan legislators - Reps. Mark Schauer and Fred Upton and Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin - have worked in partnership with business, academic institutions, private foundations and other entities to usher this new level of food focus into the southwest Michigan."