Obama's budget cuts bacteria testing in produce: ""While food safety is a vitally important part of successfully marketing produce and other agricultural products, other federal and state public health agencies are better equipped to perform this function," USDA spokeswoman Courtney Rowe said in a statement.
Industry leaders from United Fresh Produce and other major trade associations have pushed the government in recent years to get rid of the comprehensive testing program, saying it has cost growers millions in produce recalls and has unfairly targeted farmers who aren't responsible for contaminating the food. They want the private sector to do more of its own testing, rather than allowing USDA to take random samples of fruits and vegetables at massive grocery store distribution centers, after produce has already left company control.
Last year, for instance, California firms had to recall pre-packaged fresh cilantro and bagged spinach after MDP tests of random samples detected salmonella."
Industry leaders from United Fresh Produce and other major trade associations have pushed the government in recent years to get rid of the comprehensive testing program, saying it has cost growers millions in produce recalls and has unfairly targeted farmers who aren't responsible for contaminating the food. They want the private sector to do more of its own testing, rather than allowing USDA to take random samples of fruits and vegetables at massive grocery store distribution centers, after produce has already left company control.
Last year, for instance, California firms had to recall pre-packaged fresh cilantro and bagged spinach after MDP tests of random samples detected salmonella."
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