Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting at least 1,600 people across five states is now "under control."
This marks one of the first public comments from Kennedy on the parasitic intestinal illness since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began investigating the outbreak in conjunction with federal and local health partners. Kennedy stated that extensive epidemiological forensics have identified the outbreak's source, leading to a voluntary recall of affected products by the involved companies.
The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell locations. Taylor Farms, the lettuce supplier, sourced the product from central Mexico. The company has initiated a recall of dozens of lettuce products sold in 27 states and has announced it will cease sourcing iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for the remainder of the growing season.
An earlier report from the FDA indicated that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms tested positive for the pathogen. However, the agency later clarified that a re-review determined the initial result to be a false positive. Taylor Farms confirmed they were informed of the FDA's error.
Health officials are continuing their investigation into other potential sources for the infections reported in 29 other states. To date, no other sources have been identified for these domestically acquired cases.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers have voiced criticism regarding the federal response. Senator Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., has accused the administration of undermining food safety, particularly citing recent changes to food safety programs. In a letter to Kennedy, Ossoff noted that the CDC's Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) no longer requires mandatory reporting for the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis.
The CDC transitioned to optional reporting for most pathogens, excluding Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, starting July 1, 2025. Previously, FoodNet tracked various foodborne illnesses across 10 states. While doctors are still required to report cases to state health departments, which feed into the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Ossoff argued that the termination of FoodNet tracking for Cyclospora puts Americans at risk.
Kennedy dismissed these criticisms as "invalid," asserting that surveillance efforts in this area are ongoing. He explained that while cuts were made to the FoodNet program, they were for redundant surveillance, and that comprehensive monitoring and forensic investigations continue.