How the Government Shutdown Affects Food Safety
With the government shutdown lasting well into January, many of the effects are apparent. Garbage is overflowing in national parks, airports are struggling to stay open with TSA agents calling out sick, and the Smithsonian museum is closing. But the most concerning effect is in the safety of our food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are both seriously affected.
The shutdown has put 41 percent of the agency’s 17,397 employees on furlough. While the approval of new medical products is not affected by the shutdown, the food safety division is not as fortunate. Regulators charged with ensuring the safety of 75 percent of the food supply have been out of luck. According to the FDAs website, it will continue work it deems “mission critical, public health activities”. They will also continue to conduct “for cause” inspections and pursue criminal and civil investigations related to “imminent threats to human health or life.” Since the shutdown begun on Dec 22, five recalls have been posted. One essential agency that is still running unaffected is the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the overseers of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.
The Washington Post has reported that the FDA is “working on a plan to bring inspectors back as early as next week to inspect facilities considered high-risk because they handle sensitive items such as seafood, soft cheese, and vegetables, or have a history of problems.” There have been no more details of what that would include. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told NBC News that, “There are important things we are not doing.”
There are also concerns at the USDA’s FSIS. Agents at the FSIS hotline for reporting problems with meat, poultry, egg, or seafood product are not available to take calls, however FSIS inspectors are excepted from furloughs and continue to work during the shutdown.
As a company in the food industry, there is nothing to fear. Keep your business going as if the government was open. Prep for inspections as if the FDA were at your door and have your PCQI triple check your safety and quality control processes and procedures. With the government being shut down, it’s up to you to keep consumers safe. With that being said there are tools out there to help, such as QWerks. QWerks helps food and manufacturing companies meet regulations and exceed auditor expectations, so you’re always ready for the next audit. Find out how QWerks can help your business today.
