HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said Tuesday that the department has the outbreak of explosive diarrhea parasite cyclosporiasis is “under control.”
“We have done extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics and we have identified the source of the outbreak,” Kennedy said. “We, and the companies that are involved, have implemented a recall.”
Last week, Taylor Farms’ Mexican subsidiary recalled several lettuce products after the Food and Drug Administration linked it to the parasite, but later revealed that a lab test on the product provided a false positive.
Taylor Farms claimed that the FDA apologized and tried to paint it as a vindication for the company.
However, officials said Monday that other tracking methods confirmed that the company’s lettuce was the source of the outbreak.
The FDA urges people not to eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms.
In response to a reporter’s question, Kennedy said the criticism of the government’s response — including that cuts to HHS undermined the tracing of contaminated food — was “invalid.”
Here’s the latest on the ‘explosive’ cyclosporiasis outbreak:
- ‘Explosive diarrhea’ patient ate new Taco Bell item before he got sick — as FDA renews search for cause
- FDA walks back claim that Taco Bell lettuce supplier Taylor Farms was source of ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite
- Taco Bell customer reveals excruciating symptoms of ‘explosive diarrhea’ infection — and what he ate before catching it
- Taylor Farms releases full recall list after ‘explosive diarrhea’ cyclosporiasis outbreak
“We did cuts in the FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance, and all the states will tell you that we’re still doing forensics,” he said.
Kennedy added that they’re still continuing surveillance “in all the states.”
