Jul 26, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC — July 26, 2002 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation has announced the appointment of Claire Regan, director of public affairs at Kraft Foods North America, to chair the FMI Foundation Industry Advisory Council.

Created in 1999, the 30-member Industry Advisory Council provides recommendations to the Foundation Board of Trustees on food safety programs the Foundation should undertake. It serves as a food safety forum for the entire food industry — retailers, wholesalers and suppliers — and includes representatives with various disciplines, including food safety, consumer affairs, public affairs, regulatory compliance, marketing and company leadership.

One example of a Council-driven program is Fight BAC!It’s Worth the Time, a new day-to-day food safety reminder program for in-store associates to reinforce what associates learn in their training. The program was launched earlier this year at the 2002 FMI Show.

“Kraft Foods has been a strong supporter of the Foundation’s food safety efforts,” said Tim Hammonds, FMI President and CEO. “Claire has already given of her time, good judgment and supplier perspective, and we welcome her continued contributions to the committee.” Mr. Hammonds is also president of the FMI Foundation. Added Hammonds, “I am particularly pleased that the Council will now have a period of leadership from the supplier community. With suppliers and well as retailers and wholesalers on the Council, this perspective will serve the Council well.”

“Food safety is a top priority for Kraft, and we are pleased to have Claire working together with our industry partners on these important issues,” said Jean Spence, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Quality, Scientific Affairs and Compliance at Kraft Foods.

Regan brings extensive leadership experience to the position. She currently helps direct Kraft’s corporate social responsibility and issues management initiatives. She previously served as senior director, scientific and regulatory affairs at the Grocery Manufacturer’s of America (GMA). She has also served as director of nutrition at the International Food Information Council (IFIC) and nutrition manager at the National Restaurant Association (NRA). She holds a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition science from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, and a master’s in nutrition communications from Boston University.

Regan replaces the Council’s first chairman, Steve Hilton, vice president, product quality & environmental programs at Albertson’s, Inc., based in Boise, ID.

For more information on the FMI Foundation, call 202-220-0617 or visit the Web site at www.fmi.org/foundation.