RFK Jr. says outbreak is under control

Key Points:

• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the cyclosporiasis outbreak is "under control" after identifying the source and implementing recalls by involved companies.
• The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms, with Taco Bell also removing the lettuce from its restaurants.
• The FDA and CDC have faced criticism for delayed public alerts and investigation challenges, but Kennedy defended the agencies, denying cuts to surveillance programs related to the outbreak.
• FoodNet, a surveillance network involving multiple agencies, stopped mandatory reporting for several pathogens including cyclospora last year due to funding cuts, though Kennedy said these cuts targeted redundant surveillance.
• Over 1,644 cases and 94 hospitalizations have been reported since May 13, with no deaths; confusion arose from a false positive test in the investigation, but the FDA maintains that Taylor Farms' iceberg lettuce is the likely source.