CDC Reduces Surveillance of Foodborne Pathogens

Posted on August 27, 2025

• A spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) told NBC news that FoodNet, a collaboration between CDC, FDA, USDA, and 10 state health departments, has reduced its surveillance of foodborne pathogens from 8 pathogens to just 2, Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E-coli (STEC). Campylobacter, Cyclospora, Listeria, Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia are no longer being monitored as of July 1^st.
• Talking points the CDC provided to the Connecticut Public Health Department cited an absence of funding as the reason for the cut.
• FoodNet is the only federal program monitoring multiple foodborne pathogens and the cuts could make it harder to identify and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks.
• CDC has not publicly announced the change and the FoodNet webpage has not yet been updated to reflect the change.