Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. requesting explanations regarding the reduction of the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network's tracking capabilities. This reduction has coincided with a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting 34 states.
Historically, FoodNet tracked Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible for cyclosporiasis, but in July 2025, it reduced its surveillance to only two pathogens. Ossoff's letter attributes the current outbreak to this decision, stating, "Your foolish and self-indulgent demolition of critical public health programs puts Americans at risk."
As of now, there have been 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since May, with over 5,100 cases under further investigation. Michigan has reported the highest number of cases.
Ossoff criticized the Trump Administration for undermining food safety, linking the outbreak to the reduction in pathogen tracking. Cyclosporiasis is contracted through contaminated food or water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea.
He requested that Kennedy clarify whether FoodNet has resumed tracking Cyclospora cayetanensis, the reasons for its previous termination, and provide updates on the investigations into the outbreak's source and scope. FoodNet is a collaborative program involving the CDC, the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and various state health departments, covering 16% of the U.S. population.
The CDC stated that the decision to limit surveillance was based on changes in the surveillance landscape since the program's inception in 1995, allowing FoodNet to focus on core activities while maintaining quality.