In these tough economic times, many consumers have come to
expect a certain degree of belt-tightening at the supermarket.
However, the latest round of government budget cuts may soon
affect consumer food supplies far beyond the price tag –
including risk to personal injury. According to the Los Angeles
Times, Congress is currently threatening to eliminate the
Microbiological Data Program – the only regulatory initiative
that regularly screens domestic produce for deadly pathogens
such as the E. coli strain that recently killed 40 and sickened
over 4,000 throughout Germany. Driven by pressure from the
agricultural industry and a pressing need to cut spending, the
House approved a bill last month to end the program’s $4.5
million funding; and if the measure passes in the Senate,
testing and subsequent recall measures to prevent salmonella and
E. coli infection will come to a screeching halt. Consumer risk
vs. government spending – and how to stay safe in the crossfire
Currently, the Microbiological Data Program