What Are the Worst Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in US History?
Health officials say the state total nearly doubled from last year as federal surveillance logged 13,895 U.S. infections since May 1.
- Federal health officials reported 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, a tenfold jump from 1,180 cases in the same period last year, with Florida Department of Health documenting 417 infections as of August 8.
- Investigators traced the multistate outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Fresh Farms, with this single contamination event accounting for 9,481 illnesses across 17 states and marking the largest cyclospora outbreak in United States history.
- Increased awareness and multiplex testing panels detect infections previously missed, though congressional oversight letters indicate reduced Cyclospora coverage in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network since 2025, shifting reliance to passive state reporting.
- Dr. Steven Goldberg, chief medical officer of HealthTrack, recommends washing produce with "forceful running water" and friction, adding that "a safe strategy if you're eating fruits and vegetables is to cook them at high temperature."
- Consumer sentiment remains divided: Venice resident Brendan McCoy cited financial burden from illness, while Gary Yodice of Land O' Lakes stated "I'm still gonna eat it," as thousands of additional infections await further investigation.
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44 Articles
Michigan Advance
The Herald PalladiumMichigan’s cyclosporiasis cases near 14,000 as outbreak continues
The Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing | Susan J. DemasMichigan has documented 13,909 cases of cyclosporiasis, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, up from the 12,485 cases reported Aug. 6. The department is issuing weekly updates on the number of documented cases with weekly updates on hospitalizations, as well as cases recorded in each of Michigan’s 83 counties. A total of 314 people have been hospita…
Why Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Are Surging Across the US This Summer
Food safety has become an unusually difficult question for American consumers this summer. Recalls and foodborne illness investigations have been occurring with increasing frequency, while health officials are dealing with several large outbreaks simultaneously. The scale is striking. The US Food and Drug Administration has posted 20 foodborne illness investigations so far this year and says work remains active on 18 foodborne illness clusters. …
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