FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Fallon

(816) 255-1965

jim.fallon@foodintegrity.org

Food System Leaders Discuss State of Consumer Trust 

2007 Center for Food Integrity Summit attracts leaders from industry, government
and regulatory agencies

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 24, 2007) – Food system experts and officials from the nation’s most prominent food companies, regulatory agencies and producer associations met in Indianapolis today to examine the current state of consumer trust in the contemporary U.S. food system and identify potential solutions to issues currently facing the industry. 

The summit, hosted by the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), drew more than 150 leaders from throughout the food chain.

“The Center for Food Integrity was established by its members to build consumer trust and confidence in the food system,” said Danita Rodibaugh, a pork producer from Rensselaer, Ind., and CFI board member. “Today’s summit is an important part of that process because it provides us with a forum to learn about the concerns consumers currently have and openly discuss solutions that result in increased consumer trust.” 

Summit highlights included an unprecedented debate during which Wayne Pacelle, president of The Humane Society of the United States, and Dr. Dennis Avery, director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Food Issues, provided different perspectives about contemporary food production. The summit also included additional presentations and discussions on food safety and other challenges facing the food system.

”By opening up dialogue with stakeholders throughout the food system, we can begin to establish the trust and transparency needed to ensure healthy, abundant and affordable food,” said Chad Gregory, senior vice president, United Egg Producers. “The CFI annual summit allows us to come together as an industry and explore opportunities that can help us accomplish that.”

Other summit topics and discussions included:

• The State of Consumer Trust – 2007 Food and Health Survey” presented by Dave Schmidt, president and CEO, International Food Information Council

• 2007 Consumer Attitudes on Food Animal Well-Being” presented by Don Lipton, director of public relations, American Farm Bureau Federation

• 2007 CFI Consumer Trust Study — Who Consumers Trust” presented by Jan Wilson, principal, Gestalt Market Research

• Earning the Social License to Operate Around the Globe” presented by Mike Robach, vice president, global food safety and regulatory affairs programs, Cargill

• Creating Sustainable Outcomes for Contemporary Food Production” presented by Thomas McDermott, vice president, global biotech acceptance, Monsanto Company

Breakout sessions that included panel discussions and case studies on health and nutrition, food safety, and food animal well-being provided participants an opportunity to openly discuss issues and share information CFI also released the inaugural results of an annual benchmark study designed to track the level of confidence U.S. consumers have in a number of important areas, including food safety, nutrition, obesity, and the humane treatment of animals. The study’s results indicate that food safety remains the primary concern of today’s consumer. A summary of the results can be found at  www.foodintegrity.org. 

The Center for Food Integrity is a not-for-profit corporation established to build consumer trust and confidence in the contemporary U.S. food system. Our members, who represent every segment of the food system, are committed to providing accurate information and addressing important issues among all food system stakeholders. CFI does not lobby or advocate individual food companies or brands. For more information, visit  www.foodintegrity.org.