A senior official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has accused an advocacy group connected to multiple processed food corporations of undermining Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s mission to improve the U.S. food supply. The official singled out the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness (STOP), describing it as a "fake ‘food borne illness advocacy’ group funded to give quotes to media attacking RFK’s ‘real food’ pitch and argue ultraprocessed food is safer."

Secretary Kennedy, who has promised special attention to the nation's food supply, dismissed criticism of HHS’s handling of the ongoing cyclospora outbreak as "invalid" and unrelated to recent agency workforce reductions, according to a Politico report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported over 10,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. since May 1, 2026, linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce, with an additional 12,000 reports still under evaluation. Kennedy stated at a July 21 press conference, "We do have the [cyclospora] outbreak under control. We’ve identified the source of the outbreak."

In addition to addressing the outbreak, Kennedy announced the launch of "The Real Food Show" on July 30, aimed at empowering families to make healthy eating practical, approachable, and affordable.

STOP, founded in 1994 following a 1993 E. coli outbreak caused by undercooked fast food on the West Coast, aims to raise awareness of foodborne illnesses. However, HHS senior adviser Calley Means accused the group of being funded by companies promoting ultraprocessed foods.

A CBS News poll published July 26 found that approximately 53% of Americans have "some" or "a lot" of confidence in the Food and Drug Administration’s handling of the cyclospora outbreak.

STOP, HHS, and Means did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Sources