A former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official under Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden warned that the federal response to a national cyclospora outbreak is reaching a crisis point. Many infections continue to spread across the United States.
Concerns Over Federal Response
Frank Yiannas, who served as the FDA’s deputy commissioner for food policy and response from 2018 to 2023, expressed these concerns in an interview with Politico. He pointed out the unusually high number of illnesses, consumer confusion, and inadequate federal coordination and communication. Yiannas explained that he seeks to strengthen the system by finding facts, not faulting specific agencies. There has been partial dismantling of the system, he suggested.
Current cyclospora outbreaks are being investigated by federal health officials. A significant outbreak has been linked to recalled iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The FDA faced scrutiny after announcing a false positive on a laboratory test indicating cyclospora in Taylor Farms lettuce. This misstep caused confusion about the investigation. Yiannas, having served as vice president for food safety at Walmart, advised more transparency about the error and preventative measures.
Reasons Behind Yiannas’s Departure
Yiannas resigned from the FDA in January 2023, effective February 2023. His departure occurred amidst criticism of the agency’s handling of the infant formula crisis in 2022. However, Yiannas cited frustration with the agency’s structure as his main reason for leaving.
Current State of the Cyclospora Outbreak
This outbreak is one of the largest recorded in the U.S. At least 1,947 people have been affected, traced back mainly to Taylor Farms shredded lettuce. Additional cases have also been reported. As of July 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted 4,173 laboratory-confirmed cases and more than 7,400 suspected cases. There have been 308 hospitalizations reported, but no deaths. State reports show higher case numbers due to including both confirmed and probable cases. For instance, Michigan reported over 8,000 illnesses.
Then-President Trump briefly addressed the outbreak, showing lack of awareness of the issue. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the situation is ‘under control.’
Challenges in Federal Monitoring
Questions have been raised about state and federal monitoring of cyclospora. In 2025, FoodNet made cyclospora reporting optional, complicating current tracking efforts. Surveillance and public health resources are thought to be insufficient for managing foodborne outbreaks.
History of Major Cyclospora Outbreaks
Cyclospora was not well-known in North America until the 1990s. A large outbreak in 1996 involved raspberries from Guatemala. In 2013, infections linked to salad mix imported from Mexico and cilantro resulted in large numbers of cases. The biggest outbreaks happened in 2018 and 2019, connected to McDonald’s salad mix and fresh basil from Mexico respectively.
Understanding Cyclospora
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite causing cyclosporiasis, often linked to contaminated produce. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue. These can persist if not treated. The standard treatment is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim).
The disease typically spreads through consumption of contaminated food or water. Fresh produce like leafy greens and berries are common culprits. The parasite needs time to mature in the environment, so it’s not easily spread from person to person.
Safety Recommendations for Consumers
Attention surrounds the outbreak linked to Taylor Farms’s iceberg lettuce. The CDC advises consumers to discard or return recalled products. While lettuce and fresh produce do not need to be avoided entirely, people should heed recall guidance.
During outbreaks, safer food choices are those with peels or coverings removed before consumption, like bananas and oranges. Cooking vegetables can also reduce risks, as heat destroys cyclospora.
Consumers should follow FDA recall notices, wash produce when possible, and seek medical help if symptoms develop. Removing outer leaves of lettuce or cabbage might reduce contamination exposure.
Response from Taylor Farms
Taylor Farms emphasized that food safety is crucial. None of its products linked to the outbreak tested positive for cyclospora. The company issued a recall, suspended sourcing and production in central Mexico, and employed experts for safety reviews.
While Taylor Farms confirmed no positive cyclospora results as of July 2026, their commitment to transparency and safety remains strong.
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