USDA shelves cyclospora research projects amid funding cuts and outbreak

The Trump administration is closing two of three USDA research projects studying the foodborne parasite cyclospora after Congress cut funding in the fiscal year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act. The third project is relocating from Maryland to Iowa, but all participating scientists have declined to move, with many retiring or leaving the agency. This disruption occurs during one of the worst foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S. history, with the CDC recording over 17,000 confirmed cases across 48 states. The outbreak, linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico, has caused 495 hospitalizations and two deaths.

USDA cyclospora research defunding

• ▪A third funded USDA cyclospora research project is scheduled to relocate from Maryland to Iowa in the fall of 2026 as part of a broader USDA reorganization.
• ▪The Trump administration is closing two of the three U.S. Department of Agriculture research projects studying the foodborne parasite cyclospora.
• ▪A USDA spokesperson stated that cyclospora research remains completely uninterrupted and the Agricultural Research Service is working to ensure an orderly transition.
• ▪Congress did not appropriate funding for the two Beltsville Agricultural Research Center cyclospora projects in the fiscal year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act.

Cyclospora outbreak scale

• ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded more than 17,000 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 48 states and Washington D.C. from May 1 to August 24, 2026.
• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked 11,458 cyclosporiasis cases, 495 hospitalizations, and two deaths to the outbreak.
• ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that at least 11,844 additional cyclosporiasis cases may require further investigation and analysis.

Iceberg lettuce recall

• ▪On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce in the United States sourced from central Mexico, including Marketside salad packages.
• ▪The investigation into the cyclosporiasis outbreak began after reports of illnesses among customers at certain Taco Bell locations.
• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration linked the cyclosporiasis infections to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, which was purchased from growers in Mexico.

USDA scientist departures

• ▪All USDA scientists working on the funded cyclospora project have declined to relocate from Maryland to Iowa.
• ▪USDA scientists researching food-transmitted parasites are retiring or leaving the Agricultural Research Service instead of accepting reassignment or relocation.

Food safety guidance for consumers

• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that iceberg lettuce currently sold in stores is generally safe because the recalled products have been removed from circulation.
• ▪Health experts advise consumers to wash hands and fresh produce, avoid cross-contamination, and avoid eating products past their expiration date to reduce infection risks.

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