Summer of Sickness: A System in Collapse

This summer’s outbreak of foodborne illnesses is not just a coincidence; it’s a symptom of a larger problem – a crumbling system that fails to protect public health. The cyclospora outbreak, which has already affected over 17,000 people across the US, highlights the devastating consequences of neglecting our nation’s food safety infrastructure.

The numbers are staggering: more than 12,800 illnesses tied to foodborne outbreaks in 2026 surpass any year since 2020. But it’s not just about quantity; quality matters too. The recent salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños and eggs shows how our food safety system fails to adapt to changing circumstances.

Chronic underfunding of food safety systems, gaps in federal food policy, and recent cuts to public health infrastructure have all contributed to the perfect storm that is this summer’s sickness. Our nation’s health agencies are plagued by systemic issues that hinder their ability to protect public health.

The cyclospora outbreak has shed light on the vulnerabilities of our system. Barbara Kowalcyk, director of George Washington University’s Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition, notes that the summer’s spate of outbreaks demonstrates what happens when you stress a system already weakened by chronic underfunding. She emphasizes that unreported cases of foodborne illnesses often go unnoticed, further exacerbating the problem.

The FDA’s numbers on foodborne illnesses only scratch the surface; they don’t account for many cases that go undiagnosed or unreported. Jennifer McEntire, a food microbiologist and founder of Food Safety Strategy, points out that the cyclospora outbreak is just one example of how our system fails to adapt to emerging threats.

The recent reductions in staff at the CDC – from 3,000 employees down to around 2,000 – have left health agencies ill-equipped to respond to outbreaks. Joel Barratt, former leader of the molecular parasitology lab, notes that his lab’s staff was cut from 11 people to just three, further exacerbating the problem.

The lack of leadership at the top is also a major issue. The CDC has been without a dedicated director for nearly a year, and the FDA has not had a permanent commissioner since May. This power vacuum has left health agencies scrambling to respond to crises like the cyclospora outbreak.

The Trump administration’s cuts to public health grants have made matters worse. In 2025, $12 billion in funding was slashed from state health departments, leaving them understaffed and under-equipped to investigate outbreaks. The consequences are dire: in Michigan alone, the loss of these funds meant 23 fewer infectious disease workers and 123 fewer county health staff.

New policies have been proposed to address food safety concerns, including a rule requiring businesses to maintain detailed recordkeeping for high-risk foods. However, its implementation has been delayed until July 20, 2028, sparking criticism from consumer groups who urge lawmakers to reconsider the delay.

Loopholes in existing regulations also contribute to outbreaks like the one tied to Taylor Farms lettuce. Importers, brokers, and trading companies that coordinate food movement but don’t physically handle it are exempt from complying with traceability rules – allowing tainted produce to slip through the cracks.

As we navigate this summer of sickness, it’s essential to recognize that outbreaks like these are not just isolated incidents; they’re symptoms of a larger problem. Until we address systemic issues plaguing our food safety infrastructure, public health will continue to suffer. The time for excuses is over – it’s time for action.