TESTING CUT: President Barack Obama's proposed budget would eliminate the nation's only program that regularly tests fruits and vegetables for deadly pathogens, leaving health officials without a crucial tool used to investigate deadly foodborne illness outbreaks.
THE PROGRAM: The Agriculture Department's tiny Microbiological Data Program, which extensively screens high-risk fresh produce throughout the year for bacteria including salmonella, E. coli and listeria. If samples are positive, they can trigger nationwide recalls.
WHY IT MATTERS: Food safety advocates and a top-ranking U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official said the information helps pinpoint foods tied to illness outbreaks.
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