PODCAST:
July 30, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson chat with Tina Reed, senior health care reporter at Axios, about how a recent Cyclospora outbreak has exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. food safety system.
MICHIGAN ~ A parasitic outbreak in Michigan ballooned to 10,077 cases Monday, triggering lettuce recalls.
Produce supplier Taylor Farms, which sells lettuce to some Taco Bell locations, is seen as the likely culprit by the Food and Drug Administration. However, a recent test of this lettuce brought uncertainty about the origins of the outbreak, with further analysis from the FDA determining that the lettuce gave a false positive for Cyclosporiasis.
However, the FDA said that Taylor Farms lettuce is still the source of the outbreak. Taco Bell and Taylor Farms also continue to recall the lettuce.
Most of the Michigan cases are concentrated in the southeast, with a total of 34 states a part of the outbreak. Amid the rapid growth in cases, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said last week on Tuesday that the outbreak is “under control,” and was adamant that federal health agencies are managing the outbreak effectively.
“We have done extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics, and we’ve identified the source of the outbreak,” Kennedy told reporters. “The companies that are involved have implemented a recall.”
Cyclosporiasis is commonly spread by food or water contaminated with feces. In recent years, outbreaks have occurred in the U.S. as a result of eating contaminated fresh produce, especially during the summer months. Cyclosporiasis is not known to spread from person to person. Symptoms occur two to 14 days after exposure and may include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and mild fevers.
Individuals experiencing sudden gastrointestinal illness are encouraged to be evaluated by a health care provider. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis can be significantly improved with antibiotic treatment. If untreated, the illness may last for a few days to a month or longer. Providers are urged to consider cyclosporiasis among patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal illness in southeast Michigan.
To help avoid any illness from Cyclospora or other harmful bacteria or organisms, public health officials recommend the following:
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.
- Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
- Cook when you can, since heating food to 158°F or higher kills Cyclospora.
