FDA Corrects Erroneous Lettuce Recall; CDC Notes Seasonal Cyclosporiasis Rise Through August

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said July 21 that the cyclosporiasis outbreak is under control and that investigators have identified the source. , during a press briefing on healthcare fraud.

Kennedy stated that companies involved have implemented recalls. He added that cuts to the FoodNet program targeted redundant surveillance and that states continue forensic work. The Food and Drug Administration reversed its recall of shredded iceberg lettuce on or about July 20, labeling the initial finding a false positive.

The agency had begun the recall the prior Friday for products served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, then expanded it Saturday to 27 states and retail outlets including Walmart. FDA scientists notified Taylor Farms by Sunday that the positive result was erroneous.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 1,600 confirmed cases and 5,100 pending cases in national data released last week.

Thirty-four states have recorded cases this summer, with the Midwest most affected. Michigan alone reported more than 6,571 cases as of July 21. Cyclospora is a protozoan parasite that spreads through contaminated water or food and typically causes symptoms between two days and two weeks after infection.

CDC officials said last week the outbreak is expected to continue through August, with cases likely to rise even after sources are identified because of the parasite’s long incubation period.