Advocates Say Shutdown May Put FDA Hiring Efforts, Food Safety At Risk

Food safety advocates say that the month-long partial government shutdown could have long-term negative effects on the morale of FDA’s food inspection staff, as well as FDA’s ability to retain and hire personnel, who might be turned off by the prospect of being furloughed. They also expressed concern that, in the short-term, the shutdown could reduce food companies’ incentive to keep their facilities clean; frustrate foodborne illness tracking efforts; delay plans to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA); and...