10 January 2019 - As the partial federal government shutdown drags on into its third week, its impact is being felt at many federal agencies, including the FDA. 

In late December, the FDA furloughed approximately 40% of its employees. The media has focused much of its attention on the fact that routine food inspections are not being carried out. The message conveyed by the media is that food safety across the nation may be at risk. 

The FDA is hoping to bring back about 150 furloughed employees to conduct inspections of high-risk food-processing facilities. This is uncertain, however, because for the duration of the shutdown the returning employees would have to work without pay.

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