Archive · 10 Aug 2026
US food outbreaks spread across dozens of states, NIH boss says
Some fruits and vegetables in the United States are making people sick.
The germs are in foods like lettuce, peppers, eggs, meat, and chicken, and the sicknesses are happening in many states at once.
One of the germs is called cyclospora, and it was found in lettuce that came from Mexico.
That lettuce sickness has made people ill in 15 states, and sadly two people died.
Another germ called salmonella may be in jalapenos and other foods, and it is being checked in 27 states.
There is also a warning about meat and chicken, and about eggs in Texas.
Sick people can have stomach aches, diarrhea, and feel very tired.
The CDC and the FDA are working to find where the bad germs came from and to take those foods off store shelves.
A big doctor named Jay Bhattacharya says it is still okay to eat lettuce, but you should wash it very well and skip the outer leaves.
You can also cook your vegetables to be extra safe.
The doctors are trying hard to keep the food we buy safe and healthy.
A cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico has reached 15 states, with two deaths reported in the past week, according to NIH Director Dr Jay Bhattacharya.
The deaths from cyclospora occurred in late June and early July, before authorities identified the outbreak's source.
Possible salmonella contamination tied to jalapenos has been reported across 27 states, with cilantro, red onion and avocado also included in a CDC notice.
The Agriculture Department issued an alert covering meat and poultry products that could contain salmonella, and authorities are investigating salmonella risks in eggs in Texas.
Bhattacharya, who is temporarily helping run the CDC, said consumers can still buy lettuce if they wash it carefully and avoid eating outer leaves.
- Who
- US health agencies including the CDC and FDA, and NIH Director Dr Jay Bhattacharya, who is temporarily helping to run the CDC.
- What
- Multiple food-borne illness outbreaks and contamination risks involving cyclospora, salmonella and screwworm affecting lettuce, meat, poultry, eggs and fresh produce.
- When
- Reports came during the past week; the cyclospora-related deaths occurred in late June and early July.
- Where
- Across dozens of US states, including 15 states in the cyclospora outbreak and 27 states in the jalapeno salmonella investigation.
- Why
- Contaminated food products are causing illness, prompting tracing efforts, alerts and recalls to protect consumers.
Reassurance on Food Safety
Concern over Outbreaks
Safety of the food supply
Reassurance on Food Safety
The top medical research official sought to reassure consumers that the food supply is safe, saying people can still buy lettuce if they wash it carefully, avoid outer leaves, or cook vegetables.
Concern over Outbreaks
Multiple simultaneous outbreaks and contamination risks involving lettuce, produce, eggs, meat and poultry are affecting dozens of states, with two deaths already reported.
Restricting imports from Mexico
Reassurance on Food Safety
No new import restrictions were announced, and Bhattacharya said he could not speak on behalf of the FDA while defending the work of agency personnel investigating the outbreaks.
Concern over Outbreaks
The cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce from Mexico is larger than in normal years, and the question of whether the US should restrict food imports from central Mexico was raised.
- Cyclospora outbreak size
- Larger than in typical years, reaching 15 states
- Cyclospora source
- Iceberg lettuce from Mexico
- Cyclospora deaths
- Two deaths reported in the past week, occurring in late June and early July
- Salmonella investigation scope
- Jalapenos across 27 states, with cilantro, red onion and avocado in a CDC notice
- USDA action
- Alert covering meat and poultry products that could contain salmonella
- Egg investigation location
- Texas
- Grocery chain recall
- Albertsons recalled some products
- Other threat
- Separate screwworm outbreak affecting the beef supply