Former FDA Commissioner Says Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Not Under Control

Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, warned on Sunday that the agency has not yet brought the recent cyclosporiasis outbreak under control. The parasite, which causes gastrointestinal illness, has been linked to contaminated water and food products, and the outbreak has prompted heightened surveillance and testing across several states.

According to Gottlieb, the FDA has made progress by narrowing the focus of the investigation to central Mexico and a handful of specific farms where contaminated produce is believed to originate. He praised the agency’s efforts to isolate the source, noting that identifying the geographic and agricultural origins is a critical step in preventing further cases. However, he cautioned that containment remains incomplete and that additional measures will be required to fully curb the spread.

Health officials continue to monitor the situation and urge consumers to follow food safety guidelines, including thorough washing of produce and avoiding raw or undercooked foods from uncertain sources. As the investigation proceeds, the FDA is coordinating with international partners to trace the supply chain and implement corrective actions aimed at eliminating the pathogen from the food supply.