A tiny parasite named cyclospora is causing severe illnesses across the United States. Jessica Mallard, one of the affected individuals, shared, “I wasn’t feeling well. The pain in my stomach was, like, unbearable.” This parasite triggers debilitating diarrhea lasting weeks. Since May, over 11,000 cases have been reported in 41 states. “I’m still fatigued,” Mallard mentioned, “Like, I’m really, really weak.”
The cyclospora infection, known as cyclosporiasis, is an intestinal illness resulting from this microscopic parasite. The CDC and FDA have identified a major outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico. This lettuce was distributed nationwide by Taylor Farms, a major distributor.
Susan Mayne, an adjunct professor at the Yale School of Public Health and former head of the FDA’s food safety department, commented, “We’ve never seen anything like this. It’s an astonishingly large outbreak.” The contamination is believed to originate from human feces, possibly due to inadequate bathroom or hand-washing facilities at farms.
Nearly half of all food-borne illnesses come from fruits and vegetables, partly because they are often eaten raw. Such outbreaks financially impact farmers, suppliers, and restaurants. For example, a 2006 spinach contamination led to the FDA warning against spinach consumption, affecting many growers.
Following past outbreaks, the West Coast farming industry established the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA). This coalition requires farmers to adopt stricter food safety protocols than those mandated by the government. Tim York, CEO of LGMA, explained, “They join voluntarily, but once they join, they must follow our rules.” Fourth-generation farmer Jack Vessey supports these measures, saying, “We have to do it. Any kind of outbreak is detrimental to our industry.”
LGMA rules cover various safety measures, including sanitizing irrigation water, testing water sources, requiring hair nets and gloves, disinfecting tools, and conducting multiple state inspections annually. Despite these precautions, York notes that outbreaks can still occur due to natural bacteria in the environment.
Government involvement in food safety has been declining due to budget cuts. The FDA and CDC have seen significant staff reductions. Under President Trump’s administration, the FDA lost 20% of its staff, and the CDC experienced a 25% reduction. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) also reduced its scope, tracking fewer pathogens.
Mayne highlights a 2011 food safety bill with a Traceability Rule, which requires companies to maintain detailed supply-chain records. Although this measure was set to start this year, implementation has been delayed until 2028.
Health and Human Services director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed criticisms, stating, “We’ve had no cuts in our surveillance program.” Mayne disagrees, pointing out notable reductions.
For consumers, Mayne advises caution: “I would avoid the bagged salads because a little contamination can spread more broadly.” She emphasizes that these outbreaks signify a national concern. “This is a national wake-up call,” Mayne said, urging the public to demand food safety improvements.