David Kessler Interview Highlights Day-Long Conference
(Washington, D.C.) – On Friday, November 20, the Government Accountability Project (GAP) and American University will sponsor a day-long conference focusing on problems with the current food safety policy structure in America, and how to improve upon it. The conference, Empowering Employees to Protect Food Integrity, starts at 9:30 next Friday.
This symposium acknowledges the role of employees as a first line of defense against food adulteration. Expert panelists will discuss food integrity issues, as well as new and pending laws (including whistleblower protections). Specifically, panelists will address legal and legislative reforms, immigrant rights, humane handling, corporate farming, and the role of labor in food safety.
When: November 20, 2009
Where: American University, Washington College of Law, 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Room 603. Washington, D.C. 20016
Time: 8:45 a.m. – Continental Breakfast and Registration, 9:30 a.m. – Conference Begins
Cost: Free
Panel & Interview Schedule
Panel 1: A Case Study of the PCA Salmonella Outbreak (10:00 a.m.)
This panel will review the events leading up to the PCA recall, and what measures need to be implemented to prevent a similar event from occurring. Panelists will explore the interplay between both federal and state food safety agencies and why these agencies were unable to prevent and promptly identify the foodborne pathogen that sickened and killed unsuspecting consumers. PCA panelists will discuss the local public health response to the outbreak, insufficient employee protections, and failures regarding interoperability of food safety agencies.
Panel 2: Lessons Learned from the Largest Meat Recall in History (11:15 a.m.)
This panel will discuss the conditions that led to the nation’s largest beef recall in history. Panelists will review tactics that can be employed to prevent similar food safety disasters, discuss the failings and inadequate enforcement of public health and USDA regulations, and detail what steps are necessary to improve the existing system.
Panel 3: Food Safety and Whistleblowing (2:00 p.m.)
This panel includes presentations by those working in food production, as well as those fighting for greater worker protections. Panelists will share anecdotes, case studies, successes, failures and forecasts for progress in the realm of food integrity. The implications of food safety laws, with a special emphasis on the role of new food technologies vs. hands-on safety inspection, will be covered.
Keynote Address: Dr. David Kessler (3:15)
GAP Executive Director Mark Cohen will interview former FDA Commissioner and best selling author David Kessler, covering a broad array of topics ranging from food integrity and safety to food wholesomeness and the public health implications of overeating. This interview will be recorded live for GAP’s television program, Whistle Where You Work, and broadcast on the Free Speech TV channel via the DISH satellite network.
Through this conference, attendees will develop a better understanding of why it is important for workers to have protective food integrity. All questions should be directed to GAP Communications Director Dylan Blaylock at [email protected], or 202.236.3733
Government Accountability Project
The Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, GAP’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, GAP is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.