Gottheimer unveils bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal response to Cyclospora outbreak

TEANECK, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Monday announced a series of bipartisan federal actions aimed at strengthening the nation’s response to Cyclospora and other foodborne illnesses amid what officials describe as a record-breaking outbreak.

Speaking at Holy Name Medical Center, Gottheimer said the proposals are intended to improve food safety, bolster disease surveillance and ensure better coordination between federal, state and local health officials.

According to Gottheimer’s office, nearly 7,000 Cyclospora cases and more than 140 hospitalizations have been reported across at least 34 states. That represents a 2,700% increase from the approximately 249 cases reported nationally at the same time last year. New Jersey has reported more than 45 cases, with officials expecting that number to continue rising.

While no cases have been linked to New Jersey-grown produce, Gottheimer said the outbreak has affected the state’s agricultural industry as consumers become increasingly wary of fresh produce.

“I have two children, and like every parent in New Jersey, I want to know that when my family stops for lunch, has a barbecue, or grabs tacos on a Tuesday night, or picks up a bag of salad, that the food is safe. That no one will get sick,” Gottheimer said. “Right now, with what’s going on with Cyclospora, I can’t tell you with a straight face that it’s a guarantee. That’s a real concern for Jersey families, and I get it. We must do everything we can to take it on so that you don’t have to worry if your food is safe to eat.”

Gottheimer announced three initiatives designed to strengthen the nation’s foodborne illness response.

First, he and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., are introducing the bipartisan Foodborne Illness Rapid Response Act, which would:

• Prevent staffing cuts within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention divisions responsible for foodborne illness surveillance for one year after an outbreak.
• Restore mandatory federal surveillance for foodborne illnesses, including Cyclospora, after the Trump administration made reporting optional.
• Ensure state and local inspectors have access to the same food safety information available to federal regulators during outbreaks.

Second, Gottheimer said he is sending a letter to the CDC urging the agency to restore its FoodNet program to mandatory, active surveillance for Cyclospora and five other pathogens after surveillance requirements were made optional.

Third, he is backing the bipartisan Federal and State Food Safety Information Sharing Act, which would allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to share full, unredacted inspection data with state and local inspectors, who conduct about 60% of FDA food-processing inspections.

Gottheimer argued the current outbreak has been worsened by staffing reductions at federal public health agencies.

According to his office, the CDC has reduced its workforce by more than 2,800 employees since 2025, including more than a 70% reduction in its parasite surveillance team responsible for tracking Cyclospora and other pathogens. The FDA has also reduced its workforce by more than 4,300 employees.

His office also said the CDC in July 2025 changed Cyclospora and five other pathogens from mandatory to optional surveillance and that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled 444 CDC grants totaling $5.78 billion, affecting state and local public health departments that rely heavily on federal funding.