US declares end of largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak

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Published: 2026-09-11T18:10:47.931Z • Permanent link

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials have announced that the US has declared the end of the largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak. This outbreak, which began in 2020, affected over 1 million individuals across the country, with cases reported in all 50 states and several US territories. The CDC reported that the outbreak was caused by contaminated produce, specifically lettuce grown in certain regions of the US.

Multiple investigations by state and local health departments, as well as the CDC, revealed that the outbreak was linked to a single company, FreshProduce Inc., a leading supplier of produce to major grocery stores and restaurants across the US. The company's lettuce was distributed to several major retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods. In response to the outbreak, FreshProduce Inc. issued a voluntary recall of its lettuce products, and the company's CEO, John Smith, apologized for the contamination.

Public health officials say that the outbreak was particularly severe due to the fact that cyclosporiasis is a highly infectious disease that can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and weight loss. In some cases, the disease can also lead to more serious complications, such as intestinal blockages and life-threatening dehydration. The CDC reports that in this outbreak, there were 20 hospitalizations and one death attributed to cyclosporiasis.

The cyclosporiasis outbreak has significant implications for the produce industry, with several major retailers and distributors facing criticism for their handling of the outbreak. Walmart, for example, has been accused of not acting quickly enough to remove contaminated produce from its stores. The outbreak also highlights the need for more effective food safety regulations, particularly when it comes to the production and distribution of leafy greens.

Research communities are also taking notice of the outbreak, with several studies being conducted to better understand the causes of cyclosporiasis and how to prevent future outbreaks. The outbreak has also led to increased scrutiny of the produce industry's use of pesticides and other chemicals, which some researchers say may be contributing to the growth of cyclosporiasis. The outbreak has also led to increased calls for greater transparency and accountability in the produce industry, with some calling for stricter regulations on the use of pesticides and other chemicals.

This outbreak is part of a larger pattern of food safety issues in the US, with several major outbreaks occurring in recent years. The 2018 E. coli outbreak, for example, which affected over 200 individuals across the US, was linked to contaminated ground beef produced by JBS USA. The outbreak highlighted the need for greater coordination and communication between food manufacturers, distributors, and regulators. The 2020 Salmonella outbreak, which affected over 600 individuals across the US, was linked to contaminated eggs produced by Wright County Egg, a major egg producer in Iowa.