HHS Secretary to Visit Pike Place Market to Discuss Import Safety, Preview Tri...( WASHINGTON Nov. 24 -- The busy h...),Health

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The busy holiday shopping season is underway and many Americans may have questions about the safety of food and products they buy -- many of which are imported. With this in mind, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt will visit Pike Place Market on Wednesday to talk about import safety and ways to better protect consumers.

Secretary Leavitt recently presented President Bush with an Action Plan developed by an intra-governmental Import Safety Working Group to provide specific recommendations to enhance the safety of the increasing volume of imports entering the United States. Increased penalties of up to $10 million, new certification methods, enhanced enforcement authority and a larger U.S. presence at overseas facilities are just some of the provisions of the Action Plan.

Pike Place Market opened in 1907 with the philosophy of "Meet the Producer." The market is internationally recognized as one of America's premier farmers' market and is home to 240 year-round commercial businesses; 190 craftspeople and 120 farmers. During the visit, the Secretary will also preview his upcoming trip to China, where he hopes to finalize agreements with the Chinese government on the safety of Chinese-made goods exported to the U.S.

Credentialed members of the media are invited to participate in the tour and will have the opportunity to ask questions of Secretary Leavitt at a press availability that will follow.

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007

1:50 p.m. PDT Secretary Leavitt tours Pike Place Market

2:20 p.m. PDT Media Availability

(NOTE: media should arrive by 1:30 p.m. PDT)

WHERE: Pike Place Market

85 Pike Street

Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 774-5225, James Haydu

CONTACT: HHS Press Office

(202) 690-6343

CREDENTIALED PRESS, PLEASE ARRIVE BY 1:30 P.M. PDT
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