House Republicans are cutting the FDA and USDA budgets under a plan released by Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). The proposal cuts an additional $5.3 trillion from Health and Human Services (HHS) over the next 10 years. Both the FDA and USDA are part of HHS. As part of that plan, Republicans want to cut $33.2 billion in agriculture spending over the next 10 years, but they don't include details over which discretionary programs should be slashed. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities stated that if this plan is accepted, by 2050 food inspections and medical research would cease to exist. Steven Grossman, the executive director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA, said that these new spending levels could force Congress to "cut more programs and more deeply." According to … [Read more...]
FDA Commissioner Issues Warning About Funding Cuts
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg is warning the food industry that cuts to the FDA's oversight mission may threaten their businesses. She says the public reacts very negatively to foodborne illness outbreaks, and a weakened FDA may lead to more of them. If Congress does not provide more funding, the Food Safety Modernization Act will not be able to perform as expected and decrease outbreaks in the coming years. This can cost some industries dearly; the cantaloupe industry was devastated last year after the Jensen Farms Listeria outbreak. The Commissioner spoke at a House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee meeting last week. Ranking member Sam Farr (D-CA) said that Congress has been unwilling to fully fund the FDA and the President's … [Read more...]
Obama’s Budget Eliminates Program That Tests Produce For Pathogens
President Barack Obama’s proposed budget eliminates the nation’s only program that regularly tests fruits and vegetables for deadly pathogens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Microbiological Data Program. Through this program, the USDA screens high-risk fresh produce for pathogens that can cause deadly foodborne illness such Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria. When samples test positive, the USDA can trigger recalls to prevent tainted produce from harming consumers and use the information to trace back the source of the of a foodborne illness outbreak. Cutting the program will save an estimated $5 million, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget. That’s a small price tag for a huge pubic service, according to food safety advocates. But the USDA feel … [Read more...]
