FDA Seeks to End Food Safety Inspections Days After Hundreds of Pounds of Butter Recalled Over Fecal Bacteria Contamination

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 14: Cheese available for guests to try at the Cabot Creamery booth during the Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray at the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Pier 92 on October 14, 2016 in New York City. (Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

Just weeks after nearly 1,700 pounds of butter were recalled due to fecal bacteria contamination, the FDA is considering a plan to scale back its routine food safety inspections and shift oversight responsibilities to state and local authorities.

On March 26, Cabot Creamery issued a voluntary recall of 189 cases—roughly 1,701 pounds—of its Extra Creamy Sea-Salted Premium Butter due to elevated levels of coliform bacteria, commonly associated with fecal contamination, FOX News reported.