Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on July 21, 2026, that the ongoing cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. is now "under control." He confirmed that the source has been identified as shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, supplied by Taylor Farms, with involved companies initiating a recall. This announcement came during a briefing focused on healthcare fraud but also addressed concerns surrounding the outbreak.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both overseen by Kennedy, faced significant criticism for delayed public alerts and slow source identification. The agencies linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce served by Yum Brands’ Taco Bell, prompting Taco Bell to remove the lettuce from its restaurants. A misleading FDA report about a false positive on Taylor Farms’ lettuce caused confusion but was subsequently clarified, reinforcing the iceberg lettuce as the outbreak's origin.

More than 1,644 cyclospora cases have been reported since illnesses began emerging on May 13, resulting in 94 hospitalizations but no deaths, according to CDC data. The parasite’s lengthy incubation period has complicated tracing efforts. Critics attributed investigation delays partly to prior budget cuts, though Kennedy defended recent decisions, stating no cuts were made to surveillance programs directly related to outbreak monitoring.

The outbreak highlighted vulnerabilities in foodborne illness monitoring, particularly changes to the FoodNet program, a partnership between multiple federal agencies and state health departments, which reduced mandatory reporting for some pathogens last year due to funding constraints. Despite these challenges, the federal response is now focused on containment and preventing further cases through ongoing recalls and public health measures.