How Trump admin cuts have compromised food safety

A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness, has affected over 11,000 people in 41 states since May, raising serious concerns about the state of U.S. food safety.

Experts point to actions taken by the Trump administration as a major contributing factor to the current compromises in food safety. These measures included drastic cuts to staff at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, a national advisory committee focused on preventing microbial contamination in food was disbanded.

Further weakening food safety measures, the administration winnowed down an early-warning surveillance program designed to detect specific pathogens. The implementation of a rule requiring the tracing of contaminants from field to store was also significantly delayed.

Correspondent David Pogue spoke with experts who view the current state of food safety as a "national wake-up call," suggesting that the administration's actions have left the nation more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses.

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a national wake-up call