The Trump administration is reportedly pursuing changes to several federal regulations concerning food safety and environmental protection. On July 1, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) program, a federal-state partnership tracking infections, was downgraded by the CDC. This change limited mandatory surveillance for the 10 participating state health departments to Salmonella and E. Coli, potentially making it harder for authorities to respond to outbreaks like the recent cyclosporiasis.
In the environmental sector, the administration announced on Monday that it is relaxing rules governing fuel efficiency for new gasoline-powered cars and light trucks. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated this change aims to reduce the average cost of new vehicles by $1,300, though critics suggest it will increase fuel spending and worsen air pollution and climate change.
Further regulatory changes include a proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to weaken air pollution limits on ethylene oxide (EtO), a carcinogen used in medical device cleaning. Additionally, the Trump administration is attempting to roll back Biden-era drinking-water limits for PFAS chemicals and has terminated a regulatory review of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge fertilizer.