{"id":2632690,"date":"2026-07-20T14:01:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T18:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jon-ossoff-rips-rfk-jr-for-scaling-back-of-cyclosporiasis-tracking-program\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T14:04:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T18:04:29","slug":"jon-ossoff-rips-rfk-jr-for-scaling-back-of-cyclosporiasis-tracking-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jon-ossoff-rips-rfk-jr-for-scaling-back-of-cyclosporiasis-tracking-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Jon Ossoff rips RFK Jr. for scaling back of cyclosporiasis tracking program"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjon-ossoff-rips-rfk-jr-for-scaling-back-of-cyclosporiasis-tracking-program%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2632690&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has criticized the Department of Health and Human Services for reducing the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) to monitor only two pathogens, leading to a widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak across 34 states. Over 1,645 cases have been confirmed since May, with many more under investigation, primarily affecting Michigan. Ossoff accused the agency of undermining food safety efforts, which he blames for the outbreak, citing the agency&#8217;s decision to cut back on pathogen surveillance as a contributing factor.Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and can result from contaminated food or water, often linked to imported produce like raspberries and lettuce. Ossoff urged Kennedy to clarify whether FoodNet has resumed tracking Cyclospora and to provide updates on the investigation. FoodNet, a collaboration among CDC, USDA, FDA, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-to-give-10-billion-to-schools-for-covid-testing\/\" title=\"Biden Administration To Give  Billion To Schools For COVID Testing\">state health departments<\/a>, previously monitored eight pathogens but reduced to two in 2025 due to evolving surveillance strategies. Experts warned that scaling back pathogen monitoring could hinder the ability to track foodborne illnesses effectively.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jon-ossoff\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3194\">Jon Ossoff<\/a> (D-GA) sent a letter to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/health-and-human-services\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"364\">Health and Human Services<\/a> Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8011\">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> demanding answers for the \u201cfoolish and self-indulgent demolition\u201d of the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, as a cyclosporiasis outbreak spreads across 34 states.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FoodNet had historically tracked Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible for cyclosporiasis, as part of its surveillance of eight pathogens, but reduced surveillance to just two pathogens in July 2025.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4655440\/jon-ossoff-rips-rfk-jr-cyclosporiasis-tracking-program\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jon Ossoff rips RFK Jr. for \u2018foolish and self-indulgent demolition\u2019 of cyclosporiasis tracking program<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4655069\/fda-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-taylor-farms-false-positive\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>FDA back to square one on source of cyclosporiasis outbreak after Taylor Farms false positive<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4654564\/taylor-farms-recall-iceberg-lettuce-cyclosporiasis\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Taylor Farms issues 27-state recall for iceberg lettuce due to cyclosporiasis outbreak<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 66.7% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/1350c935-3833-48d7-8929-383a377d3bb0?src=embed&#038;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"Cyclosporiasis cases\" allowfullscreen allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a letter to Kennedy, Ossoff cited the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 decision to cut back on the number of pathogens it tracks as a reason for the current outbreak.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow a cyclosporiasis outbreak sweeps the nation,\u201d Ossoff said in the letter. \u201cYour foolish and self-indulgent demolition of critical public health programs puts Americans at risk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There have been 1,645 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/han\/php\/notices\/han00531.html\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/han\/php\/notices\/han00531.html\">cases of cyclosporiasis\u00a0confirmed<\/a> to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u00a0since May, with over 5,100 cases undergoing further analysis nationwide. Thirty-four states have reported cases to the CDC, with the largest number in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\">Michigan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Trump Administration is actively undermining food safety,\u201d Ossoff said, noting the number of cases across the U.S. \u201cAmericans are suffering from severe diarrhea and painful complications.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection often contracted by drinking food or water contaminated with human feces infected with the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. Symptoms include\u00a0watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, nausea, and fatigue. Outbreaks in the past have been tied to imported produce such as raspberries, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, snow peas, and basil, according to the CDC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ossoff requested that Kennedy clarify if FoodNet has restored tracking of Cyclospora cayetanensis, why tracking was terminated, and provide an update on investigations seeking the source and scope of the outbreak.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FoodNet is a collaborative program among the CDC, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-agriculture\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4185\">Department of Agriculture<\/a>, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fda\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1169\">Food and Drug Administration<\/a>, and 10 state health departments. The surveillance area covers 16% of the U.S. population.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/foodnet\/about\/index.html\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/foodnet\/about\/index.html\">CDC\u2019s website<\/a>, the decision to cut surveillance to two pathogens, Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli, was because \u201cthe surveillance landscape has changed since the collaboration began in 1995.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToday, other surveillance systems monitor for infection with FoodNet pathogens,\u201d the website said. \u201cChanges to the reporting requirements and associated activities allow FoodNet staff to prioritize core activities, while maintaining both the infrastructure and quality FoodNet represents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4645660\/what-is-cyclosporiasis-high-risk-states\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4645660\/what-is-cyclosporiasis-high-risk-states\/\">WHAT IS CYCLOSPORIASIS, AND WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST-RISK STATES?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While FoodNet no longer required surveillance of Cyclospora cayetanensis and five other pathogens, the state health departments involved in the program could conduct surveillance of the pathogens on their own. The program includes Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, and select counties in California and New York.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time of the reporting requirement cuts, food safety experts warned the move could create difficulty in tracking how common food-borne illnesses are and if cases are rising.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sen. Ossoff questions HHS over FoodNet cuts amid cyclosporiasis spread<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2632691,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26120595679305.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50448,5894,32458],"class_list":["post-2632690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-jon-ossoff","tag-politics","tag-rfk-jr"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26120595679305.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2632690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2632690"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2632690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2632694,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2632690\/revisions\/2632694"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2632691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2632690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2632690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2632690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}