Record Foodborne Illness Outbreak Hits Michigan After James, Barrett, And Huizenga Backed Law Blocking Food Safety Protections

Cases of the foodborne intestinal illness cyclosporiasis are surging to record levels, with Michigan the hardest-hit state in the country at over 7,100 confirmed cases. The outbreak comes less than a year after Michigan Republican Reps. Tom Barrett (MI-07), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), and John James (MI-10) voted for a bill that blocked food safety regulations.

The bill package that Reps. Huizenga, Barrett, and James supported blocked funding for a rule that would have helped identify the origin point of foodborne illness outbreaks and contain them more quickly. Rather than let the rule take effect, the law delayed its start until 2028. Now, Michiganders are facing the real-world consequences of delaying protections against foodborne illnesses.

“As a nurse, I'm seeing more and more people in my community getting sick from this outbreak,” said Ashley, who lives in Representative Tom Barrett's district. “Families here in Michigan shouldn’t have to worry about whether their food is safe to eat, but Congressman Barrett's vote made it harder to track and prevent outbreaks like cyclosporiasis.”

While thousands of Michiganders are suffering from a preventable illness, Reps. Barrett, Huizenga, and James voted to block food safety rules meant to prevent contamination and trace outbreaks to their source. Michigan Families for Fair Care is calling on all three congressmen to prioritize the health and safety of their constituents by reversing cuts to food safety rules.