CDC Cuts Back on Monitoring of Food-Related Diseases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reduced financial support for the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), potentially weakening the future surveillance and timely detection of foodborne illness outbreaks in the USA.

This decision marks a significant shift in how the U.S. tracks foodborne illnesses, as FoodNet is now focused on tracking only two pathogens: salmonella and a dangerous strain of E. coli called STEC. Until July, FoodNet tracked eight different pathogens linked to foodborne illnesses.

The change, which happened quietly on July 1, has raised concerns among food safety specialists. Morris, a food safety specialist, fears that the change could lead to fewer regulations in the future, potentially opening the door to rolling back protective rules.

Experts worry that narrowing the program will make it harder to understand how widespread certain illnesses are and whether cases are increasing. These bacteria and parasites can cause serious foodborne illnesses, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.

The reduction in FoodNet's monitoring is tied to funding issues, as the CDC's budgets have not kept up with the cost of operating FoodNet at full capacity. Federal budgets for food safety have remained nearly flat, contributing to programs being stretched thin.

Agencies will continue working together to protect the food supply, according to the White House statement. However, the response of states regarding the monitoring of all eight pathogens remains unclear. Some states, like Maryland, plan to continue reporting all eight pathogens, while others, such as Colorado, may scale back if funding drops further.

The potential for less oversight raises questions about the possibility of increased risk. Morris and other specialists fear that this could lead to a future with fewer regulations, potentially opening the door to rolling back protective rules.

The future of FoodNet depends on resources and political will. The statement does not specify how the agencies plan to address the funding issues that led to the reduction in FoodNet's monitoring. The White House has issued a statement affirming the health and safety of Americans as a top priority, but the response to these funding concerns remains to be seen.