‘Invisible Agency': North Texas Federal Food Inspector Fears Shutdown Burnout

Federal food inspector Anne Powell doesn't like feeling invisible.With the government shutdown in its fifth week, Powell is working 12-hour days, six days a week overseeing three different plants to make sure the chicken and meat sold in grocery stores and restaurants is safe to eat.She's one of 68 U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors in her North Texas union required to work without pay during the shutdown at plants stretching from Dallas to Waco. Continual food inspections are required by law.Meat, poultry and egg product inspections, along with recalls and outbreak investigations, are continuing during the shutdown because the government views them as essential to protecting the public.  Continue reading...