Grand Canyon Times

Today, Governor Hobbs unveiled her FY 2026 Executive Budget, highlighting funding for essential programs within the Arizona Department of Agriculture aimed at safeguarding the state's food supply and public health.

"We are very pleased to have Governor Hobbs' support for our food safety efforts as our meat and poultry inspectors and scientists at the State Agricultural Laboratory work tirelessly to protect the public and Arizona's food producing industries from the dangers of foodborne illness," said Paul Brierley, Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

The budget proposal includes several key initiatives:

- $127,000 is allocated for a new food safety scientist. This funding aims to enhance protection against food contamination, which poses significant health risks. The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) conducts tests on meat, dairy, and pet food for microbial contamination. It also performs forensic analysis for chemical contamination and tests feed, fertilizer, seed, hemp, and pesticide products to ensure quality standards. The department seeks accreditation to conduct high-level testing similar to that of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), enabling rapid response to contamination or outbreaks without waiting for FDA confirmation.

- An additional $119,300 ongoing and $45,000 one-time from the General Fund is designated to expand state inspections of meat-processing facilities. This funding will increase inspection capacity and assist in expanding operations or opening new facilities within the state.