June 21, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Michigan State Police (MSP) Traffic Safety Division are receiving national attention for their contribution to food safety through the Multi-State Food Safety and Food Security Transportation Project Group. The Food and Drug Administration presented its annual Leveraging/Collaboration Award to the Michigan-led group for their outstanding planning, teamwork, and initiative-taking.

"This prestigious honor highlights Michigan’s proactive approach to consumer protection and underscores our commitment to food safety," said Mitch Irwin, MDA director. "This collaboration enables us to leverage the resources of several agencies and maintain the safety of our food supply."

"Ensuring food products are transported to stores and restaurants in a safe and secure manner is critical to protecting Michigan's food supply," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, MSP Director. "The on-going partnership between Michigan State Police commercial vehicle enforcement members and the Michigan Department of Agriculture food inspectors has been highly effective in meeting this challenge."

Michigan directed the development of this multi-agency, interstate effort to assess both safety and security measures currently used by vehicles transporting food in the Great Lakes region. The results identified areas for improvement for some transporters who had problems with temperature and protection of food from cross contamination while in transit. Overall, however, the project showed that food distribution takes place in a safe manner.

For more information on food safety, visit www.michigan.gov/foodsafety, www.foodsafety.gov, or www.fightbac.org.