Restore Full Funding for CDC's FoodNet Program to Protect Public Health

Congress must immediately work to provide additional funding for the CDC for food safety. As of July 1, a critical food safety initiative has been significantly scaled back due to funding constraints, now monitoring only two out of the original eight pathogens. This decision poses a serious threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. The FoodNet program previously tracked eight dangerous pathogens, including campylobacter, cyclospora, listeria, shigella, vibrio, and Yersinia, in addition to salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This comprehensive surveillance covered approximately 16% of the U.S. population across 10 participating states. The program's unique active surveillance approach was instrumental in identifying foodborne illness trends and rapidly detecting outbreaks. While the CDC claims that other surveillance systems will continue to monitor the removed pathogens, food safety experts argue that these alternatives lack the comprehensiveness of FoodNet. This scaling back of surveillance could lead to delayed outbreak detection, potentially resulting in more widespread and severe foodborne illness outbreaks. The impact of this decision extends beyond federal-level monitoring. Some states are now forced to scale back their surveillance efforts, creating inconsistencies in food safety monitoring across the country. This patchwork approach to food safety surveillance leaves us vulnerable to emerging threats and hampers our ability to protect public health effectively. I urge you to take immediate action to restore full funding for the FoodNet program. We cannot afford to compromise on food safety. Increased outbreaks due to reduced surveillance will disproportionately affect our most vulnerable citizens, leading to unnecessary suffering and potential loss of life. Furthermore, the economic impact of foodborne illnesses on healthcare systems and productivity could far outweigh the cost of maintaining this crucial program. Please prioritize this issue in upcoming budget discussions and work with your colleagues to ensure that the CDC receives the necessary funding to reinstate comprehensive FoodNet surveillance. Our nation's health and safety depend on your swift action.