Food safety issues are the topic of discussion at the New Mexico Food Protection Alliance conference in Albuquerque this week.  “The conference allows us to bring together food producers; local, state, and federal agencies, as well as tribal governments to discuss important food safety issues and enhance our food safety programs,” said Jeff Witte, New Mexico Department of Agriculture director/secretary. “That means we will be better prepared to protect New Mexico residents from contaminated food or individuals who want to intentionally alter a food source in New Mexico.”

The conference focuses on four major areas of food safety; response, intervention, innovation, and prevention.  “Most recently we saw the devastating effects of the Listeria outbreak in cantaloupes which showed how important a rapid response is when dealing with a food safety issue.  Not only because of the human toll, but the economic impact as well,” said Noreen Jaramillo, NMDA public information officer.  

The conference is the second of five to be held over the next five years, thanks in part, to a $10,000 grant awarded to New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  “New Mexico is really leading the way when it comes to food safety response.  In fact other states are now looking to us and the progress we are making to model their programs after,” added Witte.

 Video: Food safety experts gather in Albuquerque