Federal Health Officials Declare Cyclospora Outbreak Over — Now What?

Federal health officials have declared an end to the Cyclospora outbreak associated with shredded iceberg lettuce. The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) points to the close communication among FDA, CDC, and the industry over the past two months.

Amid this recent outbreak, the association has continued to urge Congress and the administration to fully fund FDA’s food safety work, and it continues to support putting the Food Traceability Rule into effect without further delay.

“With the outbreak being declared over, consumers need to eat fruits and vegetables at pre-outbreak levels and beyond,” says IFPA Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns. “At the same time, we want workable standards that reflect the realities of bringing fresh produce to market. Fresh produce supply chains are complex, and no single grower, company, restaurant or retailer can answer for the whole chain. We stand ready to support investigations by FDA, CDC, and their partner agencies to identify the root cause. We have advocated for end-to-end traceability for years, and we will keep at it until traceability is implemented. We will continue advocating for investment in research and building a food safety culture where the entire supply chain holds itself and its partners accountable.”

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