Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised the alarm over what she describes as the administration’s “disastrous” handling of the cyclosporiasis outbreak. In a strongly worded letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., she demanded further details and indicated that she suspects political factors might be contributing to the situation.
“I am writing to address the administration’s catastrophic response to the largest recorded cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history. This crisis, along with the botched management, prompts concerns about potential incompetence and corruption,” Warren stated in her letter. She emphasized, “As the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, you bear the responsibility for directing the federal response. However, the shortcomings in dealing with this health emergency highlight significant issues in decision-making processes.”
ABC News has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services for a response to Warren’s letter.
Currently, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 24,000 confirmed or suspected cases of the parasitic gastrointestinal illness across 47 states. Tragically, the outbreak has resulted in the death of two individuals and over 740 have required hospitalization. In contrast, a typical year would see about 3,000 such cases.
The Food and Drug Administration has traced nearly 10,000 outbreak-related cases back to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, which was distributed across 17 states, leading to a recall.
In her letter, Warren asserts that Taco Bell, where some of the tainted lettuce was traced, “provided earlier and seemingly clearer guidance to consumers than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDC, and other federal food safety agencies.”
Warren also
The letter also raises concerns that the White House may have worked with Taylor Farms to delay warnings to the public about the tainted food supply. The letter points to a Wall Street Journal report that Taylor Farms lobbyists engaged with the White House to ask for more time and more proof before federal agencies implicated the company in the outbreak.
A source familiar with the situation told ABC News the FDA contacted Taylor Farms on July 14 to request a call; the company indicated it wasn't available until July 15. The source said Taylor Farms did not meet the established 24-hour timeline from the FDA to determine whether it would take voluntary action. ABC News has reached out to Taylor Farms for comment.
Taylor Farms announced the voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce across several states on July 17. The company also said it suspended production from that distributor.
Taylor Fresh Foods, when asked by ABC News for comment on Warren's letter, said it "acts in the interest of science and consumer health, not politics."
"We categorically reject suggestions that we attempted to receive or received favorable regulatory treatment due to political contributions or other improper influence. Any such allegations are false," said a spokesperson for Taylor Fresh Foods.
"Taylor Fresh Foods is a pioneer and industry leader in traceability. We fully support and endorse the Food Traceability Rule and have already implemented traceback protocols across our operations ahead of the compliance deadline," the spokesperson added.
ABC News has also reached out to the White House for comment on the letter.
On July 21, ABC's Elizabeth Schulze asked Kennedy about the cyclosporiasis
"We do have the