Congress, Please Make Food Safety Transparent

I am writing as a concerned constituent to urge you to support legislation requiring full transparency in our food safety system. The ongoing Taylor Farms lettuce recall is a stark reminder of why this issue cannot wait. A widespread Cyclospora outbreak has sickened thousands of Americans, prompting the recall of millions of pounds of iceberg lettuce across 27 states. Yet, under current FDA regulations, large distributors are not required to publicly identify every commercial customer or restaurant chain that received the contaminated produce. As consumers, we do everything we can to keep our families safe. We check expiration dates, follow food safety guidance, and pay close attention to recalls. But those efforts mean very little when the most important information is withheld. People should never have to wonder whether the salad they ordered at a local restaurant or purchased from a neighborhood grocery store could expose them to a dangerous foodborne illness. When a recall involves a product that can make people seriously sick, transparency should not be voluntary—it should be the law. Every American deserves immediate access to clear, accurate information about where recalled food has been distributed so they can make informed decisions and protect themselves and those they love. I respectfully ask that you support legislation to modernize these outdated regulations and require complete public transparency throughout the food supply chain. Public health depends on it. Thank you for your continued leadership, your service to our community, and for considering this important issue.