Everyone returning to work early Wednesday at Colorado’s big JBS beef plant had to contend with some pretty cold weather, but they did not have any concerns about whether USDA inspectors would be on hand. Without those inspectors, the largest employer in Greeley, CO, with a payroll of about 5,000,
Continue Reading It was business as usual on first business day of partial government shutdown
Whether Congressional gremlins working in the wee hours of the morning agreed to call off the partial government shutdown or whether they’ve allowed it to spill into Monday morning, one thing won’t change.
Inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be showing up for work at the nation’s 6,200
Continue Reading ‘Essential’ food safety inspections continue during shutdown
Routine inspections of domestic and international food facilities by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were “sharply curtailed” during the 16-day government shutdown in October, according to a report released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Thursday afternoon. Although the agency continued inspections where there was imminent threat
Continue Reading White House Says FDA Inspections Were 'Sharply Curtailed' During Shutdown
If you haven’t already heard, there’s an ongoing Salmonella outbreak that has infected at least 278 people in 17 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it’s linked to seven strains of Salmonella Heidelberg — some of which are antibiotic-resistant — that have contaminated chickens grown by West
Continue Reading Shutdown Not Impeding Salmonella Outbreak Investigation
While the government shutdown has spurred much discussion over the fate of federal food surveillance, the agriculture industry may soon feel the biggest impact from furloughs at another federal agency: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In the 10 days since the shutdown went into effect, millions of dollars of imported
Continue Reading Federal Shutdown Leaves Pesticides and Ag Chemicals Stuck at Ports
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote today on a bill that would fund the Food and Drug Administration during the government shutdown. The so-called Food and Drug Safety Act was introduced last Thursday by House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL). The bill is the latest in a
Continue Reading Proposed House Bill Would Fund FDA During Shutdown
This op-ed originally appeared Oct. 2 on LGMA’s blog. In light of the current environment, in which many federal government operations are shut down due to fiscal constraints, we want to ensure our customers and consumers that government food-safety audits on leafy greens farms continue uninterrupted. It is important
Continue Reading LGMA Government Food-Safety Audits Continue Through Shutdown
As I remember it, it became acceptable to call Richard “Tricky Dick” Nixon “The Imperial President” when a new apparel design he reportedly wanted for the uniformed Secret Service would have made them look those fabled palace guards. Even before last week’s government closures, I was thinking we should all
Continue Reading Letter From the Editor: The Imperial Government IS Functioning
As the U.S. enters the third day of a federal government shutdown, meat inspectors at the U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue performing their duties uninterrupted, while inspectors at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – which oversees 80 percent of the food supply – have been asked to turn
Continue Reading Federal Government Shutdown: Impact on Food Safety May Compound Over Time
This was originally published Oct. 1 on Maryn McKenna’s Superbug Blog, hosted by Wired Science. There’s going to be a lot — a lot — of coverage today on the federal shutdown, what it means and how long it might go on. I thought it might be worth
Continue Reading A Few Ways the Government Shutdown Could Harm Your Health (and the World’s)
