Former top US food safety official says Trump’s handling of cyclospora is ‘catastrophic’
Summary
A former top food safety official criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for poor handling of a parasite outbreak called cyclospora, which has made thousands of people in the U.S. sick. The official called for an independent review of the government’s response, citing confusion and mixed messages from federal agencies.Key Facts
- Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that causes an illness with severe diarrhea.
- Over 4,000 confirmed cases of cyclospora illness have been reported in the U.S., with possibly thousands more affected.
- Frank Yiannas was the deputy commissioner for food policy at the FDA from 2018 to 2023 under both President Trump and President Biden.
- Yiannas described the government’s handling of the outbreak as close to “catastrophic” due to poor management and communication.
- The FDA initially linked the outbreak to lettuce from Taylor Farms, a Taco Bell supplier, but then retracted the claim; Taylor Farms said FDA apologized, which the FDA denies.
- The FDA still believes Taylor Farms’ lettuce is connected to the outbreak and has recalled the product.
- U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the outbreak is “under control,” even as investigations grew to include thousands more cases across nine states.
- Yiannas recommends a review of the government response with congressional or independent oversight to prevent future mismanagement.
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