U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) last week voiced concern regarding recent reports that significant quantities of U.S.–purchased lifesaving commodities, including food aid and contraceptive supplies, have been allowed to expire or targeted for destruction instead of being made available to intended beneficiaries.
“While we appreciate that operational realities and security concerns can sometimes complicate distribution, these losses raise questions about both the stewardship of taxpayer resources and the [State] Department’s ability to implement processes to deliver commodities,” wrote Sen. Collins and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in a Sept. 10 letter sent to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The senators requested that the department compile a list by Sept. 30 of all commodities purchased by the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development that have been destroyed, are designated for destruction, or are set to expire by the end of the year, as required by law.
“Recent reports indicate that millions of dollars’ worth of commodities have expired or remained unused since January 2025, with additional costs incurred to dispose of them,” wrote Sen. Collins and her colleague. “Furthermore, it has been reported that European countries and trusted international organizations have requested to acquire and distribute these commodities, even to rebrand and repackage them at their own expense, but those offers were declined.
“These outcomes appear inconsistent with our shared goal of minimizing waste in foreign assistance programs,” the senators wrote.
They added that a May department memo noted more than 60,000 metric tons of food aid were at risk of spoilage before reaching its destination.
“By late July 2025, only around 12,000 metric tons had begun moving, with weeks remaining before final delivery,” wrote the lawmakers. “Just last month, 15,000 pounds of ready-to-use therapeutic food expired and was destroyed in a warehouse in Georgia, despite its critical role in treating malnutrition in children. Additionally, $9.7 million of unexpired contraceptive commodities designated for destruction are being held at a warehouse in Belgium.”
Under federal law, the Secretary of State is required to promptly inform the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations of each instance in which assistance provided in the act has been destroyed, according to their letter.
“We look forward to receiving additional details on these recent cases, including a full accounting of costs, the rationale for destruction, and the department’s plan to prevent such waste in the future,” wrote the senators.