The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has called for greater collaboration between industry and public health authorities as the United States experiences what it describes as the largest Cyclospora outbreak on record.

In a statement, IFPA Chief Science Officer Max Teplitski said: "This is on track to be the largest Cyclospora outbreak in U.S. history. Michigan added more than 600 cases in a single day and is now above 3,300, with cases still accelerating. Our central concern is this: the response we are seeing will likely not slow this outbreak down or stop people from getting sick, nor is it intended to identify the root cause of the outbreak to prevent future outbreaks."

Teplitski said assigning blame without identifying a confirmed source would not help prevent future outbreaks, noting that no contaminated product has yet been identified despite product sampling. He added that evidence linking produce is based primarily on patient interviews and called for greater information sharing between public health authorities and the fresh produce industry. IFPA also reiterated its support for end-to-end produce traceability and implementation of the U.S. Food Traceability Rule.

The comments come as U.S. health authorities continue investigating a multistate Cyclospora outbreak. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,645 confirmed domestically acquired cases have been reported since May 1, 2026, with more than 5,100 additional cases under review. Thirty-four states have reported cases, with 141 hospitalizations and no deaths. Michigan has reported 3,309 cases and Ohio 1,119.

Teplitski also called for rebuilding public health surveillance systems, arguing that reduced monitoring limits the ability to identify transmission pathways and outbreak sources. He said broader surveillance, including monitoring illnesses, waterways, wastewater, and agricultural environments, would improve detection and source attribution for future Cyclospora outbreaks.

End of statement from Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer, International Fresh Produce Association.

Other than the statement by IFPA, Michigan officials and the LGMA have also released statements on Monday regarding the outbreak. Michigan investigators state that lettuce has been a frequently reported food among patients who were interviewed, although officials stress the investigation remains ongoing and this should not be taken as a fact as of now. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said: "Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation." Authorities have not linked the outbreak to any specific grower, processor, shipper, production region, or brand, and other food sources have not been ruled out.

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) said it is monitoring the investigation and noted that Cyclospora has historically been more commonly associated with imported fresh produce than domestically produced leafy greens. The organization said California growers continue to operate under its mandatory food safety program while the investigation continues.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com