GFSF End of Year Newsletter Released

The coming year is promised with changing landscapes in the field of food safety with new technologies, international standard, and financial instruments. The year-end issue of GFSF Focus is devoted to these new developments with special focus on the Asian food safety markets and the global supply chain. 

Focus’ lead articles spotlight strategic technologies and their growth markets. “By highlighting new food safety technology roll-outs,” “we’re showing future investment and trends in the market,” said Eric Wu, GFSF Director. The issue also contains an article on the Sanitory and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) agreement within TPP. A fourth article looks at the factors driving the demand for food safety liability insurance and GFSF’s endorsement of new insurance products for Chinese company suppliers. In early November Continental Insurance Brokers co-hosted a workshop with GFSF which was designed to introduce Chinese suppliers to two new insurance products it has endorsed for food safety liability and recall of contaminated product. Lastly, Focus looks ahead to early 2015 with its Food Safety Calendar. 

Progress in China’s new Food Safety Law

China is making great progress in addressing its serious food safety concerns and improving its food safety regulation. On June 23^rd, 2014, the revised amendments for China’s Food Safety Law (Draft) was submitted to the ninth meeting of the 12th National People's Congress for review. The New Food Safety law is expected to be put into effect at the end of 2014.

The Draft increased the total number of articles from 104 to 159. The highlights are:

1. The Draft clearly encourages the establishment of a food safety liability insurance system and supports food manufacturing companies to participate in food safety liability insurance.

2. For online food trade, the Draft provisions demand an online third party platform provider do real-name registration of all its food operators and clarify their management responsibilities.

3. The Draft Increases the circumstances that government officials should resign or be discharged, including concealing or lying about major food safety incidents, taking bribes during an investigation of a food safety incident, and participating, harboring or condoning food safety related crimes.

4. The Draft strengthens corporate responsibility by requiring the management personnel in the food safety related area to acquire career qualifications and the establishment of a food traceability management system.

5. The Draft increases consumer compensation substantially to ten times the damage.

  Your Fast Track to North China: Agriculture & Food Expo Harbin 2014

Northeast China's Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Products, Food and Food Production Technology Exhibition and Forum

11 - 14 September 2014

ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 11-14, 2014 – GFSF/China will be co-hosting the Agriculture & Food Expo Harbin, held in Harbin, China. The event brings together top international suppliers of agriculture products, food and beverages, as well as technology in agriculture cultivation and food processing.

Dr. Gilmore President and CEO of GIC Group and Chairman of Global Food Safety Forum (GFSF), will present as part of the Agriculture & Food Expo Harbin 2014. Gilmore will outline the new era for Food Safety issues from the global, macro perspective.

Agriculture & Food Expo Harbin was launched successfully in September 2013 in Harbin. Conceptualized as a targeted trade fair for China`s emerging Northeast, the show was welcomed by exhibitors as a much-awaited opportunity for both the agriculture and food markets in Harbin. Within two trade days and two public days, more than 60,000 visitors had meetings with about 1,500 exhibitors from 9 countries, getting together to learn, purchase, and do business.  

Please see the following link for more information on the Agriculture & Food Expo Harbin 2014: http://www.harbin-agri-expo.com/

GFSF (www.globalfoodsafetyforum.org ) is a non-profit industry platform focused on advancing food safety in Asia.  GIC Group is founder of GFSF and together with Bric Agricultural Consultants, Ltd., manages GFSF’s programs and activities in China.

# # #

Contact: 

Eric Wu, Director, GFSF

1434 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

ericwu@gicgroup.com

+1 703-684-1366

Sharon Lili Elhadad, GIC Group

1434 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

sharon@gicgroup.com

+1 703-684-1366                                                                                                      

                        

USDA 

Economists 

Group 

Seminar

Food Safety: Costs in the United States and Global Consequences

Hello,

You are cordially invited to attend the upcoming seminar hosted by the USDA Economists' Group. The presenters are Dr. Richard Gilmore, CEO/President of the GIC Group, and founder/chairman of the non-profit industry organization, Global Food Safety Forum (www.globalfoodsafetyforum.org), and Dr. Travis Minor, an Economist with the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

The seminar will be held on Monday, August 25, at 12:00 noon, in Room 107A of USDA's Whitten Building, Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC. This event is free of charge; you will need identification to enter the building.

If you can't make it to the seminar, feel free to join in on teleconference:

Dial In Number: 1-888-844-9904 or 1-816-423-4261

Access code: 9448054

More information can be found at: www.usdaeconomists.org.

Thanks, and hope to see you there!

China: No ractopamine allowed in US Pork

www.chinadaily.com: 8.14.14

As of Wednesday, China is no longer allowing pork imports from processing plants Tyson Foods in Iowa and Indiana, Hormel Foods Corp in Nebraska, Triumph Foods in Missouri, and Quality Pork Processors Inc. in Minnesota. In total there are 12 facilities (6 processing and 6 cold storage) who have been shut out due to a recent ban on growth additives in pigs. In order to ship pork products into the country, producers must secure third-party verification to confirm that ractopamine, a feed additive, is not present. 

China Daily reports that domestically, China often takes such measures to ensure safety in their products though the move to expand to imported products have been new. Although China remains the world's largest producer of pork, in 2013 the country increased its import of meat by 11.7% from 2012. 

Shanghai requires 5 of the city's restaurant chains to provide supplier information

www.chinadaily.com.cm: 8.11.14

The Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Administration is now requiring that the following chains: McDonald’s Discos, Burger King, and Carl’s Jr. post information about their suppliers on their internet sites. As part of a movement to provide consumers additional information about their food sources, the city’s FDA aims to use this regulation to increase the costs of non-compliance for suppliers. While this mandate only covers 5 chains, residents believe that it will eventually grow to include all food serving businesses in Shanghai.

The Shanghai government’s notice puts food safety as the top priority for supplier selection. Yesterday, the Municipality held a hearing covering food safety tracking; the information will then be used to draft a provision on various food categories sold in Shanghai. 

Wal-Mart in Shenzhen under investigation by Chinese regulators

Reuters: 8.9.14

Allegations made by a Walmart employee at a Shenzhen branch that workers were violating food safety rules have now come under inspection. These reports include reusing dirty cooking oil, selling expired meat, and failing to toss insect inhabited rice. Regulators have obtained food samples from this particular branch and though they are being tested, Walmart has released a statement that none of the reported activities were found on site. During one of the inspections on this branch, regulation officers found that managers had hand written expiration dates, something that could easily result in the use of expired products. Regarding frying oil, there is no current legislation for how long it can be used or if old and new oil can be mixed. 

China reassures Japan over Safeness of Food Exports

Chinese food regulators in Beijing on Wednesday gave Japan the green light after going through evidence that no contaminated meat had been shipped into their borders. Last month’s discovery of a Husi plant clearly breaking food safety protocol eventually caused a ripple effect, resulting in Hong Kong and Japan banning all Shanghai Husi imports. In Japan, this caused the sales of McDonald’s to drop 15% in the month of July and FamilyMart to dispose of all their Husi chicken products.

Tokyo’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry were told that Husi separated their export products from those that were meant for domestic sale, keeping them in different storage locations. Husi employees though had produced both domestic and export goods on the same production line.  

Sources: Reuters ; The Japan Times

GFSF Announcement: USDA Economists Group Seminar on Food Safety Costs and Global Consequences

Join USDA on the 25^th of August as they host Dr. Gilmore and Dr. Minor for a presentation on how food safety issues are viewed from a global, macro perspective and what the quantitative methods for evaluating cost implications are.

 Under the FSMA scope and the supply chain, what links the costs of food safety threats to non-compliance issues in the US? What is the changing structure of the global food and feed market place and what could it mean for food safety overall?

Regarding quantitative methods, the FDA has developed an economic welfare-based method to estimate the health costs associated with foodborne illness. The method generates pathogen-specific health costs measured in both quality-adjusted life years and in dollars.

Dr. Richard Gilmore is CEO/President of the GIC Group, an international agribusiness company, and founder and chairman of the non-profit industry organization, Global Food Safety Forum (www.globalfoodsafetyforum.org).  He previously served as External Adviser to the US Government for investment in innovative ag technologies in feed the future countries; Chief Economist of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Director of Food Policy, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and Rockefeller Fellow.  Rick has written books and articles on agribusiness and food policy issues and is a frequent media commentator on food safety and policy issues

Dr. Travis Minor is an Economist with the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.  He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Economics with an emphasis in Health Economics from Middle Tennessee State University. Aside from contributing to numerous Regulatory Impact Analyses put forth by the FDA, Dr. Minor has published research in Health Economics and Economics and Human Biology, amongst others.

 August 25, 2014, Monday

12:00 to 1:00 pm

1400 Independence Ave SW, Room 107A                    
Washington, DC.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 20, 2014.

For questions, please contact

Sherry Wise, sherry.wise@ams.usda.gov or Marina Denicoff, marina.denicoff@ams.usda.gov

Hong Kong Takes Preventative Measures in Response to a UK Food Safety Scandal

www.scmp.com: 7.27.14

Marks & Spencer, a grocery chain in Hong Kong, moved quickly to remove produce sourced from 2 Sisters Food Group even after UK's Food Standards Agency approved the two accused plants as satisfactory in an audit. 

Indeed the produce which Marks & Spencer ultimately pulled were not even imported from the two suspected plants, but by the 26th after reports of reusing dirty poultry and improper storage were already being made public, the grocery chain removed and sealed half a tonne of poultry. 

In the UK, this also has not stopped major supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s from rushing to conduct independent testing of their meat produce. 

Tune in to Voice of America (July 29th): OSI-Husi

Eric Wu, GFSF Director, to appear on Voice of America call-in show tomorrow (July 29th) morning to discuss the OSI-Husi disclosures.

 Food Safety incidences is unfortunately an all-too-familiar problem in China, but this time around the consequences of the Shanghai Husi Food Company have caused ripples not only across the country but into the offices of multi-billion, global corporations. Executives have issued public apologies, international fast-food restaurants have scrambled to check and re-check their ingredients, and consumers are left wondering whether Western fast-food chains can be trusted again. Tune in tomorrow morning to hear Eric Wu discuss what is currently going on in the food safety realm in China and its impact on the food industry.

China revisits Fast-Food Food Safety Concerns

The Shanghai Husi Food Company has been accused of supplying contaminated meat to two major fast food restaurants in the city, KFC and McDonald’s, and possibly affecting chains Pizza Hut, Papa John’s International, and Burger King. After a local television station, Dragon TV, ran an investigative report on Husi employees using expired meat and then packaging it for shipment, the government closed its operations and local officials immediately began notifying restaurants to check their products

 Accounting for more than 8,000 restaurants in the country, KFC and McDonald’s yet again must deal with the food safety issue that sparked consumers’ concerns back in 2012. During that year, the concern was over fast-food meat that was quickly produced with high levels of antibiotics and then supplied to two American fast-food chains, one Japanese chain, and one Taiwanese restaurant. For now, the government has closed Shanghai Husi Food Company and KFC and McDonald’s has issued statements expressing their apologies and assurances that they will investigate the matter further with authorities. 

Codex Alimentarius Commission: New Maximum levels set for Lead and Arsenic

www.foodnavigator-asia.com: July 17, 2014

   

"Codex Sets New Maximum Levels for Lead and Arsenic"

This week, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and WHO have added new regulations to the Codex Alimentarius, setting maximum limits for lead and arsenic in food products. In infant formulas, the limit of lead should be no more than 0.01 mg/kg and for arsenic the level should not rise above 0.2 mg/kg. As one of the main staples in Asia, contaminated rice has the potential to affect a larger population more severely since the crop absorbs the chemical more readily than others. Lead on the other hand is a naturally occurring element that could end up in the ingredients of infant formulas if producers are not careful in screening their sources.  

Abbott and Fonterra Looking to Expand Dairy Production in China

www.foodnavigator-asia.com: July 14, 2014

The demand of the middle-class in China for dairy products such as cheese and milk, is one of the reasons Abbott and Fonterra have formed a partnership to invest USD $300 million towards dairy farms. Their plan is to capitalize on both companies’ experiences working in business development and the milk industry and to provide safe products for Chinese consumers. FoodNavigator Asia notes that this project could result in the creation of up to 5 dairy farms producing a total maximum of 160 million liters per year. If Chinese regulators approve Abbott and Fonterra’s plans, the dairy plants could be producing as early as 2017. 

Global Food Safety Forum Youtube Channel

GFSF recently posted new videos on its Youtube channel featuring last month's 2014 GFSF Summit in Beijing, China. Interested in what some of the leading food industries have to say about food safety? We invite you to stop by and listen to our posted talks: GFSF Youtube Channel

China Food Safety Law and Liability (update)

"Liability insurance proposed for food industries"
  www.chinadaily.com.cn: July 3,2014

The future of food safety in China will not simply include harsher fines and penalties for trespassers of FDA regulations. As the review of a draft amendment to the Food Safety Law at the end of June demonstrated, another focus will be getting the food industry to look into liability insurance programs.  The safety benefits would accrue to the consumer, especially if the government requires high risk industries (ex. meat and dairy corporations) to purchase insurance for their products- thus subjecting the companies to further insight from their insurers. On the same note, if the government were to require liability insurance, consumers could face increased prices since companies would be paying more for insurance. For now, China FDA is promoting insurance plans among select food companies rather than making it mandatory because of cost concerns.

Opinions on the Food Safety Law Draft

 www.chinadaily.com: 2014-07-02 

"Opinions Solicited on Food Safety Law"

Yesterday, China began taking public opinions on the Food Safety Law draft which involved enacting stricter penalties for lawbreakers. The current penalties listed under the Law do not have a strong enough deterrence, according to the head of China’s Food and Drug Administration, Zhang Yong. Specific fines that the industry can expect include:

·        

•          Reparations worth 3 times the loss consumers suffer from unsafe food
•          Fines that are 30 times more expensive than the product      
•               Raising the maximum ceiling for fines on products less than $1,60
•           Lawbreakers being subject to demotion, dismissal, criminal penalties

California citrus to China remains temporarily restricted

China banned California products in April 2013 after brown rot was found in its shipments. The resumption of California citrus exports to China is still on hold after a meeting between Chinese and American officials. U.S. officials hoped the meeting would finalize a proposed agreement allowing California citrus back into China. Unfortunately, Nelsen said, there’s still work to be done. “They were positive about they saw, they said the right things, but it didn’t conclude as we had hoped.


We had hoped to have a signed agreement.” One sticking point, Nelsen said, was a disagreement over the level of standardization growers and packers need to observe to prevent brown rot. The Chinese are more used to a regimented approach, Nelsen said. “They wanted more specific language for protocols.” USDA and California officials tried to convince the Chinese official that that wasn’t always possible, what worked for one grower or packer, Nelsen said, didn’t necessarily work for others. The Chinese officials said they would relay that information to their government and give a response soon, Nelsen said.

Introducing the Pathogens Reduction and Testing Reform Act

A new bill- the Pathogens Reduction and Testing Reform Act- introduced by Congresswomen Rosa Delauro and Louise M. Slaughter to the House of Representatives could potentially give USDA the authority to recall contaminated food products (meat, poultry, egg products). If any of these food products are adulterated with pathogenic bacteria that could cause serious illnesses or complications with antibiotics, USDA would be required to recall that product. More about the legislation on Food Quality News' website!

China Food Safety Law and Liability

Our sources indicate that when the amended China Food Safety Law comes out, there will be an endorsement of food safety liability insurance.  With official encouragement, CFDA will be charged to oversee some pilot programs in key provinces for such insurance on "high risk products" like formula milk. 

 At its last Summit, June 14-15, GFSF updated members on its work on food safety liability insurance products started in 2013 and will soon be announcing a series of satellite meetings in China provinces to discuss new food safety liability products for corporate members, targeting recall and contamination for suppliers and buyers in traded product from China.

US FDA Issues a New Rule for Infant Formulas

"FDA Publishes Final Rule For Infant Formula"


www.foodonline.com: June 11, 2014

With FDA's new rule- Current Good Manufacturing Practices-manufacturers are now required to test for pathogens Salmonella and Cronobacter, establish quality control methods, and notify  the government when major changes to formulas have been made. Manufacturers must show that the baby products contribute to physical growth and produce evidence of acceptable nutritional content at the final product stage and at the end of its shelf life. Infant formula manufacturers are required to adhere to the rule by September 8, 2014.  

Wal-Mart China and Food Safety Spending

"Wal-Mart China to raise food safety spending to $48 million"

Daily Press: June 17, 2014

In continuing their efforts to build on food safety, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced yesterday that it would increase its spending on this issue to $48.32 million. The food and grocery market in China is estimated to reach $1.5 trillion in 2016 – a fact that has not been lost by big name retailers, nor has the topic of food safety. Two new developments that Walmart will include in its efforts include expanding DNA testing for its meat products and reaching more stores via two mobile safety labs. 

Taking Note of Company Conduct within the Food Industry in China

Xinhua News Agency: June 15, 2014 

China to Log Food Company Conduct

Deputy of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce , Ma Zhengqi, says that China has already begun an informational monitoring system on corporate actions which can be accessed by the public. Companies who trespass food safety laws risk being placed on a black list of illegal producers. This announcement follows newly enacted food safety regulations this year in China along with a push for harsher punishments for those who break the Food Safety Law.

China's Food Safety Publicity Week

Mark your calendars! This week is Food Safety Publicity Week in China. Starting from 2011, the government has made it into a national campaign to emphasize public food safety by highlighting different themes each year. This year’s theme focuses on “respect for morality, laws, and regulations”. 

Made in Australia

Food navigator-asia.com: June 5, 2014

“China can’t get enough of Australia’s organic produce”

According to Australian Organic, Chinese consumers have increased their demand for organic “milk, dried fruits, nuts, citrus fruits, wheat flour and coffee.” Shortly after IBISWorld Report forecasts a 50% growth rate over the next 5 years in Australian organic farming, Australian Organic signed an agreement with the Organic Food Development and Certification Center of China. This agreement aims to make the inspection process more efficient and smoother, especially for those within the beef and wine industry.Check out the rest of what Food navigator-asia.com has to say about this new development.  

Strengthening Regional Collaboration on Food Safety in Asia

                             Check out Food Industry Asia’s article on improving 

                             regional collaboration on food safety through 

                             public-private partnerships and what GFSF 

                             has been doing about it!

 "As a non-profit society based in Singapore, FIA represents and promotes the views of the food and drink industry throughout the region, using science-based advocacy to help shape public policy. "

China Pulls Permits From Some Domestic Infant-Formula Makers

The Wall Street Journal: May 30, 2014 

“China Pulls Permits From Some Infant-Formula Makers”

 

Beijing, May 30, 2014- The China Food and Drug Administration stated May 30th, that only 82 of the 133 companies that applied for baby-formula production permits were granted production permits. As part of a move to tighten regulations on the industry, increase food safety, and strengthen the domestic food industry, China has sought to clean up its dairy market after a 2008 baby formula scandal which resulted in six deaths and thousands of sicknesses. Currently there are 41 foreign companies who import and sell infant formulas; this accounts for 55% of the market share in China’s baby-formula industry.

2014 Food Ingredients Viet Nam Expo

Viet Nam News: Updated  May, 28 2014 08:40:24

 

Expo focuses on food ingredients market

The 2014 Food Ingredients Viet Nam Expo showcased over 100 food and beverage companies from 16 countries and territories during the three day exhibition. In organizing the event, UBM Asia noted the developing interest in the Vietnamese food and beverage industry, especially with a growing consumer market. The expo provided a forum for companies to network and learn in according to the UBM Asia business director; in fact, after the event several contracts were signed to begin or expand businesses in Vietnam.

Regulating GM Food Labeling in China

Xinhua: Regulating GM Food Labeling in China

ShanghaiDaily.com 2014-05-27

File photo/Xinhua

BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- China is to improve its regulations on labeling genetically modified (GM) food to guarantee consumer rights.

The measure was included in a guideline issued by the State Council, the country's cabinet, to boost food safety, according to a government statement issued on Tuesday.

The guideline did not give details about the stricter rule to be implemented.

GM food remains controversial in China and consumers have complained it is hard to distinguish GM food from non-GM food due to poor labeling. 

Chinese Government Urges Food Safety

Xinhua: Chinese Government Urges Food Safety

English.news.cn   2014-05-27 13:10:19

According to a government statement on Tuesday, the Chinese State Council, the country’s cabinet, issued guidelines to increase food safety in 2014.Safety measures are to include:

o    Stricter monitoring of the quality of baby formulas and a campaign to punish illegal use of food additives;

o    Greater efforts to improve food quality of meat products and harsher regulations for those who incorporate the use of sick or dead animals;

o    Proper handling of kitchen waste and the prohibition of process waste edible oil use;

o    An amendment draft to the Food Safety Law tripling fines for food safety violations and carrying a lifetime ban from the industry for violators. 

Food safety during and after a power outage: Keep it or toss it out?

Food safety can be a major concern for people during a power outage. There are several things to do in advance and tips to follow after power is restored.

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Eileen Haraminac, Extension Educator

With the April 2014 Midwest span of spring storms, power outages have become common. Michigan State University Extension advises consumers that food safety can be a major concern for people during an outage, especially when the electric company can’t give you an estimated time for when the power will be back on. The following are suggestions for advanced preparation to help keep food safe in case of a power outage:

• Make sure your appliances have thermometers; it is the best way to ensure your food is safe in case there is a power outage. Temperatures are considered safe if they are 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower in the refrigerator or zero degree or lower in the freezer.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends the following tips to follow:

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
• The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened.
• A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot fully-stocked freezer cold for two days.
• If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while it is still at safe temperatures, it’s important that each item is thoroughly cooked to the proper temperature to assure that any foodborne bacteria that may be present is destroyed. However, if at any point the food was above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more, discard it.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating.
• For infants, try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated

Once power is restored you will need to determine the safety of your food. Here’s how:

• If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
• If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is degrees Fahrenheit or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
• Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more.

Keep in mind that perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause a foodborne illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked. Following these guidelines can help ensure that no one will become sick from tainted foods.

GFSF welcomes GCCA as a new strategic partner

Alexandria, Virginia, May 2, 2014

For Immediate Release

Contact

Eric Wu

Director, GFSF and Financial Services/China
Tel. 703-684-1366

GFSF welcomes GCCA as a new strategic partner

Global Food Safety Forum (GFSF) is pleased to announce that Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has become a new strategic partner of GFSF.

GCCA provides specialized cold chain advisory services to government agencies, organizations, and associations. Over the past 15 years, GCCA has worked with international donors such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to provide specialized cold chain and related advisory services.

GFSF is a non-profit industry organization with a diverse membership base of leading multinational companies in the global food chain, Chinese companies, US state departments of agriculture, and trade associations. The Forum’s core activities have been workshops under USDA and member sponsorship; rapid response services on-site to solve immediate food safety issues; liaison with Chinese government regulatory and oversight agencies; and reciprocal delegation visits to China and the US.

For additional information on AB SCIEX and on GFSF partnership, as well as the upcoming Beijing Food Safety Summit in June, please contact:

GFSF

Eric Wu

Director, GFSF and Financial Services/China
GIC Group
1434 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel. 703-684-1366
web: www.gicgroup.com

GCCA

Richard Tracy

Vice President, International Programs

Global Cold Chain Alliance

1500 King Street, Suite 201

Alexandria, VA 22314-2730 USA

phone +1 703 373 4300 ext. 215
lrandel@gcca.org