2.22.2008 9:59 AM

USDA Needs More Help

Some Say More Inspectors Are Needed to Ensure Safe Food Supply

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a shortage of slaughterhouse inspectors has weakened the federal food safety
net

Photo: Paul Kline / Istock/Istock

By Annie Bell Muzaurieta

The recall of 143 million pounds of beef last week from a company that was accused of forcing downer cattle into the slaughterhouse highlighted an issue with oversight of the beef industry.

Now, some government inspectors are suggesting that the USDA does not have enough inspectors to ensure the safety of our food supply. According to the Baltimore Sun, four current and former inspectors said this shortage makes it easier for sick animals to enter the food supply undetected.

There have been reports of slaughterhouse workers communicating with one another to warn of an inspector's whereabouts. Union officials, who represent the inspectors, have said that the USDA needs hundreds of more inspectors to do their job properly. Agriculture Department officials acknowledge they are short about 500 inspectors.

The meat industry suggests the calls for more inspectors are outrageous, according to the paper, saying they have more government monitoring than any other industry. But the inspectors say that they often have to do the job of two or three people due to vacancies, which makes it difficult to focus on looking for signs of disease in animals, and preventing them from entering the food supply.

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