iFoodDS Works to Build Bipartisan Support in Congress for Food Safety Solutions

iFoodDS was back on Capitol Hill this Fall for meetings with Members of Congress from both parties in support of workable policies to enhance food safety for Americans at every stage of the supply chain.

Company founder and board member Diane Wetherington held one-on-one meetings with key members of the US House of Representatives and US Senate from both sides of the political aisle during a two-day stretch in Washington this Fall, expressing iFoodDS’ support for the advancement of continuous food safety and quality improvements on the farm, in processing facilities and throughout the supply chain so consumers can reach for healthy foods with confidence.

Diane’s congressional agenda included personal discussions with US Senator Richard Burr (R-DC), the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), which oversees the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA); US Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA; pictured above), a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture; Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH; pictured above), also a member of the House Committee on Agriculture; Senator John Boozman (R-AR) of the Senate Committee on Agriculture; and Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS; pictured above) of the House Committee on Ways & Means. Diane also met virtually with Chris Phalen, food and agriculture policy advisor for Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).

The iFoodDS interactions with congressional lawmakers come at a key time for federal food policy as the FDA implements the landmark New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative.

Appropriations committees on both sides of the US Capitol are also working on agriculture funding measures for Fiscal Year 2022 that include language underscoring the importance of technology and traceability in maximizing the security and quality of the nation’s food supply. iFoodDS continues to work in support of language championed by Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and a bipartisan group of House members in this area. Discussions between Diane and key staffers for Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on the topic are planned in the days ahead with the hope of helping to shape the final FY 2022 agriculture appropriations bill that is ultimately signed into law by President Biden.

iFoodDS will continue to be a voice in the policy space for workable bipartisan solutions that enhance quality, productivity and safety at all stages of the food supply chain.