A cyclospora outbreak that began in mid-May has sickened tens of thousands of people across 47 U.S. states, prompting mounting pressure on the FDA and renewed scrutiny of the country's food safety system, according to CNBC.
Key facts
- Tens of thousands of people across 47 states have reported illness linked to the outbreak, according to CNBC.
- The cyclospora outbreak began in mid-May, according to CNBC.
- Pressure is mounting at the FDA to resolve the outbreak.
- Experts told CNBC that U.S. food safety problems have been building for years.
Tens of thousands of people across 47 states are reporting illness linked to a cyclospora outbreak that began in mid-May, according to CNBC.
The scale of the outbreak has placed growing pressure on the Food and Drug Administration to resolve the situation, according to CNBC.
Experts who spoke with CNBC said issues in the U.S. food safety arena have been mounting for years.
In a report by CNBC’s Brandon Gomez, the network explored the challenges facing both the private and public sector when it comes to controlling outbreaks of this magnitude.
Why it matters
Foodborne illness outbreaks affecting tens of thousands of people across dozens of states raise questions about public health protections. CNBC reports that experts have flagged longstanding issues in the U.S. food safety system alongside the current strain on the FDA.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have been affected by the cyclospora outbreak?
According to CNBC, tens of thousands of people across 47 states have reported illness linked to the outbreak.
When did the outbreak begin?
The cyclospora outbreak started in mid-May, according to CNBC.
Is this outbreak the result of a single failure?
Experts told CNBC that issues in the U.S. food safety arena have been mounting for years, indicating the outbreak reflects longer-standing challenges rather than an isolated incident.