health
Epic diarrhea outbreak has 40% of Americans avoiding fruits and veggies
Kennedy has focused on nutrition but has neglected food safety, critics say.
TL;DR
- A record high of over 11,500 cases of Cyclospora infections have been reported across 41 states, with over 300 hospitalizations.
- The largest outbreak is linked to Taylor Farms' iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell and other companies, sickening thousands across nine states.
- Approximately 40% of Americans are buying or eating less produce due to the outbreak.
- Critics argue that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s focus on nutrition has neglected food safety and infectious diseases.
- Budget cuts to the FDA and CDC, along with delays in implementing food traceability rules, are cited as contributing factors to the crisis.
- Former FDA officials have described the handling of the outbreak as 'catastrophic mismanagement' and called for an independent investigation.