(Washington, DC) – Today Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt met with National Restaurant Association board member and Chief Executive Officer of Caribou Coffee Rosalyn Mallet to discuss import and food safety. The meeting took place at a Caribou Coffee location within the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
 
“This week marks the beginning of what will likely be a busy holiday season with millions of American consumers shopping and dining out,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “Our nation’s restaurants consider food safety a top priority. As an industry, we are continually working towards ensuring public confidence in the U.S. food supply, which is the safest in the world. We appreciate Secretary Leavitt’s commitment to import and food safety and the Administration’s efforts to evaluate how our standards can be even stronger and more effective.”
 
Earlier this month, the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety, which represents 12 federal agencies, presented the Import Safety Action Plan and Food Safety Plan – to improve the safety of food and other items from foreign countries. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Food Protection Plan in conjunction with the working group’s recommendations. It addresses imported and domestically produced food and aims to strengthen the FDA’s ability to coordinate with other federal agencies to protect the food supply.
 
The National Restaurant Association has been working with members of Congress of both parties, and with the Administration, to address industry concerns. The National Restaurant Association is committed to food safety and works continually toward the goal of ensuring food safety.