Key facts
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared the cyclosporiasis outbreak "under control."
- The FDA reversed a 27-state recall of shredded iceberg lettuce, labeling it a "false positive."
- The outbreak has affected 34 states, with the Midwest heavily impacted.
- Over 1,600 confirmed and 5,100 pending cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported nationally by the CDC.
- Michigan alone reported over 6,571 cases.
- Kennedy stated that the source of the outbreak has been identified and companies involved are implementing recalls.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis is "under control," a day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rescinded a recall of shredded iceberg lettuce across 27 states, deeming the initial product identification a "false positive."
Kennedy stated at a press briefing that extensive epidemiological forensics had identified the source of the outbreak and that involved companies have implemented recalls. The outbreak has impacted 34 states, with a significant number of cases reported in the Midwest. National data from the CDC indicates over 1,600 confirmed and 5,100 pending cases, while Michigan alone has reported more than 6,571 cases, suggesting this may be the largest outbreak documented in the U.S.
Experts have criticized the CDC's response as slow, linking it to budget cuts made by the Trump administration. These cuts affected programs like FoodNet, which assesses food safety trends, and reduced funding for state and local health departments. The administration also reportedly reduced staff at a federal lab for parasitic outbreaks and diminished the role of USAid in addressing such issues.
The FDA's initial recall on Friday involved shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell, later expanding to retail products. However, by Sunday, the agency acknowledged an error, informing Taylor Farms, a major producer, that the positive identification was a mistake. Cyclospora, a parasite typically spread through contaminated food or water, thrives in warm temperatures and its symptoms have a long incubation period, leading the CDC to expect the outbreak to continue through August.