RFK Jr. Says Parasite Outbreak Is Under Control After Source Identified

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the Trump administration’s response to the nationwide cyclospora outbreak Tuesday, saying federal investigators have identified the source of the parasite and acted quickly to contain its spread. Kennedy said the outbreak is now under control and emphasized that recalls have already been implemented to protect consumers.

Speaking during a press briefing, Kennedy said investigators used extensive epidemiological and forensic analysis to trace the outbreak to lettuce produced by a Mexican subsidiary of Taylor Farms. He said federal officials worked closely with the companies involved to remove the affected products from store shelves as soon as the source was confirmed.

The outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness that can cause severe diarrhea, has sickened thousands of Americans across dozens of states. Health officials warned that additional cases may continue to appear because symptoms often do not develop until days or even weeks after exposure to the parasite.

The administration also criticized Taylor Farms after the company posted on social media suggesting the FDA had apologized for initially linking its products to the outbreak. According to White House officials, the company later deleted the post after federal authorities disputed the claim and maintained that the investigation had confirmed the source through multiple lines of evidence beyond laboratory testing alone.

Kennedy rejected suggestions that recent changes to federal disease surveillance programs slowed the government’s response. He said public health officials continued tracking infections throughout the investigation and insisted that identifying the source allowed regulators and food producers to move quickly to limit further exposure.

Federal health officials continue urging consumers to follow recall notices and avoid any products included in the investigation. Kennedy said the administration will keep monitoring the situation but expressed confidence that the actions already taken will significantly reduce the number of new infections in the coming weeks.