Former CDC Director Warns of Cyclospora Expansion in Cleveland-Akron Area
Former CDC Director Redfield has warned about the expansion of Cyclospora to include fruits and other vegetables beyond bagged lettuce, advising caution when consuming raw produce in the Cleveland-Akron (Canton) area.
Cleveland Akron, OH, August 6, 2026 —
Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Robert Redfield, has issued a warning regarding the potential expansion of Cyclospora infections beyond bagged lettuce to other fruits and vegetables.
Redfield advised consumers in the Cleveland-Akron (Canton) area to exercise caution when preparing and consuming raw produce.
The warning suggests that the parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is known to cause gastrointestinal illness, may be spreading to a wider range of food items than previously identified. While bagged lettuce has been a common source of outbreaks, the scope of potential contamination could now include a broader array of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Consumers are encouraged to be vigilant about food safety practices, particularly when dealing with raw foods that are not cooked before consumption. The exact timeline for this expansion or specific new produce items identified as being at higher risk were not detailed.
Further details regarding the specific types of fruits and vegetables that may be affected, or the precise geographical extent of the concern beyond the Cleveland-Akron (Canton) area, were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Rob Taub on fox8.com, see more information here.
