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Cyclospora

All articles tagged with #cyclospora

FDA closes cyclospora investigation, finds parasite in Mexico but not the cause
health7 days ago

FDA closes cyclospora investigation, finds parasite in Mexico but not the cause

The FDA has closed its investigation into the largest U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak, confirming the parasite was present at Taylor Farms' Mexican processing site and in the fields where the implicated lettuce was grown. However, the agency stated it could not determine how the contamination occurred. The outbreak sickened over 12,000 people across 21 states and resulted in two deaths. While the CDC previously declared the outbreak over as cases declined, this FDA finding provides environmental confirmation of the parasite's presence but leaves the specific transmission mechanism unresolved.

Midterm voters face a food safety crisis as outbreaks and recalls spark political blame
politics12 days ago

Midterm voters face a food safety crisis as outbreaks and recalls spark political blame

The 2026 midterm election cycle is being defined by a surge in foodborne illness and public anxiety over food safety. A massive cyclospora outbreak in lettuce sickened nearly 20,000 people, while a Class I recall removed 167,000 pounds of uninspected meat from the market. Democrats are blaming federal budget cuts and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the crisis, while the Trump administration argues that recall numbers are actually at historic lows. Polls show a sharp decline in consumer confidence, with 53% of Americans worried about the safety of their food, leading to significant changes in shopping habits and a polarized debate over the adequacy of federal oversight.

US Cyclospora Outbreak Declared Over After Lettuce Recall
health27 days ago

US Cyclospora Outbreak Declared Over After Lettuce Recall

The CDC has declared the largest US outbreak of the intestinal parasite cyclospora over, with more than 12,000 cases across 21 states and two deaths (in Michigan). The outbreak was linked to lettuce imported from central Mexico by Taylor Farms, prompting a voluntary recall and the removal of the supplier’s lettuce from menus (including Taco Bell). While deaths are uncommon and cases have significantly declined, investigators continue to probe the outbreak’s source.

Florida reports 400-plus Cyclospora cases tied to iceberg lettuce recall
health1 month ago

Florida reports 400-plus Cyclospora cases tied to iceberg lettuce recall

More than 400 Floridians have been diagnosed with Cyclospora infections as health officials monitor an outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce. The FDA says all recalled lettuce linked to the outbreak has been removed from shelves, while the CDC notes Cyclospora infections are more common in warmer months. Symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Health officials urge consumers to follow food-safety guidance and check for recalled products.

Cyclospora illness could set off lasting gut problems
health1 month ago

Cyclospora illness could set off lasting gut problems

Cyclospora outbreaks linked to iceberg lettuce can cause explosive diarrhea and may trigger long-term gut issues such as post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). A 2024 review found about 14.5% of people develop PI-IBS after acute gastroenteritis, likely due to immune system and gut microbiome changes. Treatments include peppermint oil, gut-targeted antibiotics like rifaximin, IBS medications, and for those with SIBO, glutamine or an elemental diet; roughly half recover without targeted therapy, though recovery can take months to years. Higher risk groups include women, people 60 and younger, those with mental-health conditions, and longer-lasting diarrhea.

Cyclospora Fallout: Constipation Emerges After Outbreak
health1 month ago

Cyclospora Fallout: Constipation Emerges After Outbreak

Weeks after a Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, many people cut back on fruits and vegetables and are now dealing with constipation due to low fiber and hydration; doctors say reintroducing fiber with water and high-fiber foods (like spinach) should ease stools within 24–72 hours, and while the recall reduced new cases, lingering produce anxiety remains.

Cyclosporiasis outbreak wanes as recalled iceberg lettuce is pulled from shelves
health1 month ago

Cyclosporiasis outbreak wanes as recalled iceberg lettuce is pulled from shelves

Federal health officials say the iceberg lettuce linked to this summer’s cyclosporiasis outbreak has been recalled and is no longer on the market, and current iceberg lettuce is generally safe to eat as long as recalled products are avoided and standard food-safety practices are followed. The outbreak has reached about 11,458 illnesses in 20 states with 495 hospitalizations and 2 deaths; the investigation is ongoing and the end could come in a few weeks when no new cases are detected.

America's Summer of Sickness: Food Outbreaks Expose a Frayed Safety Net
health1 month ago

America's Summer of Sickness: Food Outbreaks Expose a Frayed Safety Net

Summer 2026 has seen unprecedented foodborne illness outbreaks, led by cyclospora tied to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, plus salmonella in jalapeños and eggs and E. coli with salmonella in alfalfa sprouts. FDA and CDC data suggest a surge due to underfunded food-safety systems, staffing cuts, and delayed traceability rules; import loopholes and weak inspection parity complicate tracing, with outbreaks likely to persist into fall as warm weather and El Niño drive pathogen spread.

Food Recalls Aren’t Climbing—Data Show Amid Cyclospora Outbreak
health1 month ago

Food Recalls Aren’t Climbing—Data Show Amid Cyclospora Outbreak

Data through Aug. 18 show FDA recalls this year (860) are below historical levels—roughly 15% under the five-year average and 29% under the 10-year average—while a large cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce dominates headlines. Major recalls this year include iceberg lettuce, jalapeños, alfalfa sprouts, eggs, and frozen berries. Experts caution that fewer recalls don’t necessarily mean safer food, noting that reduced surveillance/testing can hide problems and that the severity and spread of outbreaks matter more than recall counts.

Lettuce-linked Cyclospora outbreak widens to three more states, sickening thousands
health1 month ago

Lettuce-linked Cyclospora outbreak widens to three more states, sickening thousands

FDA reports a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico has expanded to Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, bringing total illnesses to 11,458 across 20 states with hospitalizations and two deaths; Michigan remains the hardest-hit state, and the CDC notes symptoms typically begin about a week after infection. The outbreak—one of the largest foodborne events in recent U.S. history—has also ripple effects on produce shopping and supply chains tied to Taco Bell, prompting changes in consumer behavior around fresh greens.

Lettuce-linked cyclospora outbreak expands to Georgia, Tennessee and Texas
health1 month ago

Lettuce-linked cyclospora outbreak expands to Georgia, Tennessee and Texas

U.S. health officials confirm cyclospora cases linked to recalled iceberg lettuce have expanded to 20 states, with three new ones—Georgia, Tennessee and Texas—bringing the total sick to 11,458. The outbreak points to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico; recalls remain in effect and investigations continue. Officials note about 29,000 confirmed or suspected cyclospora cases this year and 922 hospitalizations, marking the largest U.S. outbreak of its kind since 2019.

Recall Summer: Navigating a Wave of Contaminated Food
food-safety1 month ago

Recall Summer: Navigating a Wave of Contaminated Food

2026 has seen a flood of recalls—from cyclospora outbreaks linked to produce that sickened about 17,000 people across 48 states to incidents of glass in popsicles and salmonella in eggs, sprouts, and supplements—raising questions about how safe what we eat actually is. The number of recalls, now over 160, is high, and illnesses are up sharply this year, with supply chains dominated by a few large producers (notably Taylor Farms). Regulators argue recalls are not unusually high relative to a decade ago, but critics say the picture is more complex when you count outbreaks without recalls and aging, lean staffing at the FDA/CDC/USDA. The Trump administration’s move to import large amounts of foreign beef adds market uncertainty amid recalls and contested sourcing. All of this underscores how difficult it is to trust everyday groceries, with the author concluding that caution is warranted—humor aside—about what’s considered safe to eat today.