Former FDA food safety official urges independent review of cyclospora outbreak response
Frank Yiannas, who led FDA food policy under two administrations, said the federal handling of the Cyclospora outbreak has been poorly managed and called for an independent investigation.
Frank Yiannas, who served as the FDA’s deputy commissioner for food policy from 2018 to 2023, said the U.S. government’s response to the Cyclospora outbreak has been mishandled on several fronts and should be examined by an independent body.
Yiannas told Politico that the situation is “approaching a catastrophic level” because of “lack of strong federal leadership” and mixed messages from agencies, which he said have left the public confused about cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
More than 4,000 confirmed cases have been reported, with officials estimating thousands additional infections. The FDA initially linked the outbreak to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, a supplier to Taco Bell, then retracted that link; Taylor Farms said the agency apologized, a claim the FDA denied. The regulator continues to cite “strong evidence” connecting the company’s lettuce to the illnesses.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently described the outbreak as “under control,” while the FDA expanded its investigation to 7,400 possible cases across nine states. Yiannas criticized the agency for moving too quickly and making errors, urging it to disclose how the mistake occurred and what steps will be taken to prevent recurrence. He recommended that any review be overseen by Congress or an independent inspector. The FDA has not responded to the request for an investigation.