No matter how you slice it, plans put forth by fiscally fixated Republicans to slash the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service budget in the name of reducing government spending is going to wind up costing taxpayers money. House GOP members want to cut $88 million out of the agency’s funding, Food Safety News reports. But at what cost? The money that’s on the chopping block is largely allocated for personnel. Without it, hundreds of USDA inspectors will be forced out of their occupations and on to the unemployment line. Even worse, the testing facilities where they work will go dark, inspections will cease, and contamination and outbreaks of food-borne illness will likely skyrocket. So how do you want it? Would you rather have your tax money spent on ensuring the safety of the food we eat and preventing illness? Or would you prefer it spent on more unemployment benefits, food stamps, and Medicaid, while thousands fall victim to E. coli and salmonella? [Food Safety News]
