Health Expert Blasts FDA for ‘Catastrophic’ Food Poisoning Response - The Daily Beast

What the report says

The Daily Beast reported that Frank Yiannas, a former senior food safety official at the Food and Drug Administration, is calling for an independent review of the federal response to a large cyclosporiasis outbreak. Yiannas, who served in food safety roles during the first Trump administration and later as an FDA deputy commissioner under President Joe Biden, told Politico the response showed a lack of forceful national coordination and was nearing a “catastrophic” level because of problems across several areas.

According to the report, the FDA said earlier this month that its investigation pointed to contaminated Taylor Farms lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations. Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled lettuce, but later said the agency had apologized after the company argued the finding was tied to one false positive test. The FDA denied apologizing and maintained that the lettuce remained a leading suspected source. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 4,000 confirmed U.S. cases and is reviewing another 7,400 possible infections across at least nine states.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite and can bring severe intestinal symptoms, including prolonged watery diarrhea, cramps and fatigue. Yiannas said federal officials need to explain their process more clearly, especially how a single disputed test result appeared to complicate the investigation. The Daily Beast also noted political scrutiny around Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including criticism from Sen. Jon Ossoff, and reported that Taylor Farms donated $1 million to MAGA Inc. in 2025.