John Oliver Criticizes Trump Administration's Response to Taco Bell Lettuce Outbreak
Late-night host John Oliver said the federal response to a cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell's lettuce falls short of the fast-food chain's own actions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking a cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, which has sickened up to 12,000 people in nine states, according to health officials. About one-sixth of the cases are linked to Taco Bell locations that use the supplier.
In a segment on his show, host John Oliver highlighted that Taco Bell issued a statement saying it had removed the contaminated lettuce from its restaurants and urged customers to continue patronizing the chain. Oliver praised the company's public communication, noting it contrasted with what he described as a weakened federal response.
Oliver also pointed out that the Trump administration has reduced the CDC workforce, cutting the agency’s staff by roughly 25 percent, including eight of the eleven scientists previously dedicated to monitoring food-borne parasites. He questioned whether the remaining three scientists are sufficient to manage the tracking effort.
The Department of Health and Human Services has been contacted for comment.