Microbiological Data Program shut down, no other agency set to pick up slack

The program had done most federal fruit and produce testing since 2001

January 5, 2013

BreakingNews

According to Bill Marler of MarlerBlog.com, the Microbiological Data Program (MDP), administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, was shut down on Dec. 31, 2012. MDP had conducted 80 percent of all federal produce testing since 2001. Food safety advocates including Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have pointed out that no other agency appears ready to step in and conduct the testing, while the produce industry argues that the testing failed to benefit public health. Though FDA technically has nominal jurisdiction over the safety of fruits and vegetables, it conducts far less testing compared to MDP.

Shane O’Halloran joined Food Engineering in November of 2012 as Digital/Online Editor. He graduated from Oberlin College in 2010, and worked as a copy editor and contributor to BleacherReport.com and ShesGameSports.com. He has also written feature articles on a freelance basis for publications in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. His areas of expertise include social media campaigns and website management. Shane produces daily news updates for www.foodengineeringmag.com and Food Engineering’s social media sites. In addition, Shane writes news articles for FE’s TechFlash e-newsletter and Food Engineering’s People and Industry section.