RFK Jr. says cyclosporiasis outbreak 'under control' amid 1,600 cases in 5 states
Summary
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting at least 1,600 people in five states is "under control." The outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms, which has recalled products in 27 states.Key Facts
- The outbreak of cyclosporiasis has sickened over 1,600 people across five U.S. states.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce at some Taco Bell locations.
- Taylor Farms, the lettuce supplier, recalled many lettuce products in 27 states and stopped sourcing iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for the season.
- An FDA test of lettuce not recalled initially showed a positive for the parasite but was later found to be a false positive.
- Health officials continue investigating other cases and potential sources in 29 additional states with domestically acquired infections.
- Senator Jon Ossoff criticized the federal response and changes to food safety programs, saying that critical public health tracking was weakened under the Trump administration.
- Since July 2025, the CDC no longer requires mandatory reporting of cyclosporiasis cases except for certain other bacteria, making tracking more difficult.
- Reporting of cases is still done by doctors to state health departments and then to a national surveillance system, but federal active monitoring has decreased.
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