Trumpian America: staring at a food safety crisis

It’s a case of another day and another set of bewildering decisions – or more like proclamations – from Trump and his chainsaw-wielding sidekick Musk. Both megalomaniacs are clearly set on disrupting not only the fabric of American society but also the remnants of world order that still exist. Perhaps it’s a good tactic to launch a series of blistering attacks on so many people, organisations and countries, giving them little time to digest and understand their full impact before firing the next salvo? Personally, I doubt it is a considered strategy; more likely the result of two egos the size of distant and very dim planets. They can get away with it, therefore they do it….

In the midst of all the mayhem, I have tried to understand the disembowelment of the agencies in the US that have oversight or direct involvement with trying to ensure Americans can purchase or be provided with safe food. The status quo is not one that fills you with hope. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the US, an estimated 48 million people experience foodborne illnesses, leading to approximately 128,000 hospitalisations and 3,000 deaths.. So with a population of around 340 million, that means a staggering one in seven Americans suffer food poisoning each year. And now it seems things can only get a lot worse.

The head of food at the US Food and Drug Administration resigned, citing the Trump administration’s mass staff cuts making it impossible for the organisation to do its job anymore as the reason. And as for the impact on the CDC; approximately 1,300 employees, constituting about 10 percent of the CDC’s workforce, have been notified of their termination of employment. Not only does this organisation work to try and ensure safe food in the US but it also collates the statistics for foodborne illness incidents. So it would seem convenient for Trump and Musk that Americans won’t be aware of the increasing food incidents nationally, but no doubt many more Americans will be fully aware of the impacts personally – either to themselves or affected family members. If and when this happens, no doubt Trump and Musk will find others to blame.

And it’s not only government employees that are being affected. I have heard of research staff at universities being warned that funding in many areas, including food safety, will be cut. With respect to several important food safety conferences I’m involved in, to be held in Europe this year, I know many US scientists have cancelled their registrations and fear they won’t even be allowed to participate online.

Optimists might say that Trump, unless he also annuls the US Constitution, can only serve up to four years in office, but I believe the realists’ view (including mine) is that much of the food safety infrastructure and knowledge base will be decimated during this Presidential term, taking many years to fix. It is beyond ironic that Trump wants Europe to buy more of its food from the US. He may lie to US citizens about many things, but for those of us in countries where food safety standards remain extremely important we will trust our regulators and food businesses to provide our citizens with food that is truly safe.

The likelihood of me purchasing any food from the dystopian state Trump is working towards – one beyond even the imaginings of George Orwell – is as likely as me turning orange.