RFK Jr. says cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce is under control

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that the cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce is “under control,” after federal agencies faced criticism over the speed and clarity of their response. For everyday investors, the food-safety issue touches a familiar consumer name: some of the lettuce was served at Taco Bell, which is owned by Yum Brands.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness linked to the cyclospora parasite. Outbreak investigations can take time because the parasite has a lengthy incubation period, according to Kennedy’s comments and federal health officials’ investigation described by CNBC.

Kennedy made the comments during a news briefing focused on health care fraud. Asked about the outbreak, he said officials had found the source and that companies connected to the outbreak had started a recall.

“We’ve identified the source of the outbreak, and the companies that are involved have implemented a recall,” Kennedy said.

What federal agencies have found

The Food and Drug Administration has concluded that the current outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms, according to CNBC. Some of that lettuce was served by Taco Bell, the Yum Brands chain.

Taylor Farms has recalled produce linked to the outbreak, and Taco Bell has removed the lettuce from its restaurants, according to CNBC.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA and public health officials in several states have been investigating the outbreak. The first illnesses appeared on May 13, according to the CDC. More than 1,644 cases have been reported, including 94 hospitalizations and no deaths, the CDC said.

Why the response drew criticism

The FDA and CDC, both part of the Department of Health and Human Services, have been criticized over delays in warning the public and finding the source of the outbreak, according to CNBC. Critics have also argued that staff and program cuts under the Trump administration slowed the investigation.

Kennedy rejected that argument during the briefing. “Those criticisms are invalid,” he said, responding to a question about job cuts under his leadership. “We had no cuts in the surveillance program. We did cuts in the FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance.”

FoodNet, short for the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, is a partnership among the CDC, FDA, 10 state health departments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CNBC reported that FoodNet stopped mandatory reporting for six of eight pathogens last year because of funding cuts, including cyclospora.

FDA messaging added confusion

The FDA also had to clarify its public messaging after confusion over a false positive cyclospora test in a Taylor Farms lettuce sample during the investigation, according to CNBC. The agency issued a clarification Monday and said it still suspects the company’s iceberg lettuce is the outbreak source.

For restaurants and food suppliers, recalls can create operational headaches, from pulling ingredients to communicating with customers. In this case, the public-health agencies say the investigation continues while the linked produce has been recalled and Taco Bell has removed it from restaurants.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.