El-Sayed plans inquiry into RFK Jr.’s handling of Michigan outbreak

El-Sayed told CNN he was not seeking “retribution for something past.” He said an inquiry would aim to establish what happened, hold people accountable and identify ways to prevent similar failures. “People need to feel it in their back pockets and in their homes,” he said.

The outbreak sickened more than 15,000 Michiganders and hospitalized more than 370. A CDC laboratory working on Cyclospora and other parasitic outbreaks saw its staff fall from 11 to three after cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, according to the report. The Agriculture Department also ended three research projects: two lost funding from Congress, while a third was moved from Maryland to Iowa. Researchers declined to relocate, putting that study at risk. In 2025, the CDC removed Cyclospora from its Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet.

Kennedy said on July 21 that the outbreak was “under control,” when 1,600 people were sick nationwide. Dozens more people in Michigan fell ill over the next month. The outbreak was ultimately linked to lettuce grown in central Mexico by Taylor Farms de Mexico. Kennedy rejected claims that cuts weakened the government’s response, saying there were “no cuts in the surveillance program.” He acknowledged FoodNet cuts but called the surveillance “redundant.”

El-Sayed said his inquiry could lead to legislation, suggesting a “Crap Lettuce Elimination Act” to ensure the Food and Drug Administration is functioning. He also cited recalls involving blueberries, blackberries and meat. He criticized Trump’s selection of Kennedy to lead HHS and said he would apply an “extremely high” bar to the president’s nominees, supporting them only if their merit and ability to serve the public were established.