GMA Partners with Academia on Food Safety

The Grocery Manufacturers Association, Cornell University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University of China have signed a letter of intent to work toward establishment of a joint academic program to address food safety challenges in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region.

Cornell, SJTU and GMA will work together to explore the feasibility of developing specific curriculum in supply chain food safety that will include academic certification programs and state of the art training. GMA will serve as a key advisor to both Cornell and SJTU, providing advice, counsel and private sector perspective to these universities.

“In recent decades, as our food supply has become more global and more complex, partnerships like these have become even more critical to enhancing food safety,” said Pamela Bailey, GMA president and CEO. “We look forward to bringing GMA’s vast expertise and experience in food safety to this effort and we are honored to be working with these renowned universities on this common mission to strengthen the safety of our food supply chain.”

Dr. Kathryn Boor, dean of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said: “We are very excited about this partnership and the opportunity to work with Jiao Tong University and GMA on this critical issue. The signing of this letter of intent is the first step in building the curriculum and expertise to increase the safety of the APEC food value chain.”

The Washington, D.C.-based Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders.