Food-Safety Experts Warn USDA Against Closing Beltsville Center, Citing Parasite Research Risks
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jul 16
Food-Safety Experts Warn USDA Against Closing Beltsville Center, Citing Parasite Research Risks
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jul 16
Summary
Food-safety experts warned that shutting the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center near Washington could damage U.S. parasite research tied to foodborne-illness prevention.
USDA is closing the site under a restructuring plan that would relocate Beltsville programs to facilities around the country, raising concerns about disruption to specialized work.
Don Schaffner, chair of a food-safety group, said the closure could undermine research capacity that supports detection and control of parasites in the food supply.
The warning highlights broader concern that the agency’s reorganization could weaken scientific continuity even if programs are not formally eliminated.