In an effort to help improve the safety and security of the global food supply, several major American companies and food industry groups have helped lead training seminars in the Asia-Pacific region.

At an event held last week in Beijing, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) for Food Safety and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) focused on topics such as supplier selection, managing the supply change  preventative practices, risk analysis and export certification.

GMA president and CEO Pamela Bailey said in a press release that the training events are an important way to provide growers, manufacturers and regulators with education and training consistent with international best practices.

Most of APEC’s member nations were expected to participate, including a large number from the developing world.  Industrialized agricultural heavy hitters Cargill, General Mills, Coca Cola, Kraft, and Waters Inc. were event sponsors.

This was the fourth event held by the APEC Partnership Training Institute Network for Food Safety.  APEC leaders launched the first one in November 2008.