Former FDA official criticizes cyclospora response as near catastrophic
10 reported1 conflicting
Frank Yiannas, former deputy commissioner for food policy at the FDA under both Trump and Biden, has criticized the federal response to a cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands. Yiannas told Politico the situation is approaching a catastrophic level of mismanagement on multiple fronts. He cited widespread public confusion about the illness and a lack of strong federal leadership with mixed messages from agencies. The FDA initially linked the outbreak to lettuce from Taylor Farms, a Taco Bell supplier, but later backtracked. Taylor Farms said the FDA apologized, a claim the FDA denied, though the regulator still cites strong evidence against the company. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr stated the outbreak was under control, even as the FDA expanded its investigation to 7,400 potential cases across nine states. Yiannas called for an independent review with congressional oversight or an inspector, but the FDA has not responded.
What’s reported
Frank Yiannas was deputy commissioner for food policy at the FDA from 2018 to 2023 under Trump and Biden.
Yiannas told Politico the cyclospora response is approaching a catastrophic level of mismanagement.
More than 4,000 people in the US have been sickened, with thousands more thought to be affected.
The FDA identified lettuce from Taylor Farms as linked to the outbreak, then backtracked.
Taylor Farms said the FDA apologized; the FDA denied this.
The FDA still maintains strong evidence connecting Taylor Farms to the outbreak.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said the outbreak was under control.
The FDA expanded its investigation to 7,400 potential cases across nine states.
Yiannas called for an independent review with congressional oversight or an inspector.
The FDA has not responded to the call for an investigation.
Conflicting accounts
The article reports that Taylor Farms said the FDA apologized for linking its lettuce to the outbreak, but the FDA denied making such an apology.
Key figures
Frank Yiannas, former deputy commissioner for food policy at the FDA
Robert F Kennedy Jr, US health secretary
Taylor Farms, supplier to Taco Bell
Sources: The Guardian
