Why Food Keeps Making Everybody Sick This Summer
The US is experiencing a significant surge in foodborne illnesses in 2026, with outbreaks linked to various products like lettuce, jalapeños, and eggs. Experts attribute the rise to systemic vulnerabilities, including federal funding cuts and gaps in food safety policy.
Why it matters
The sharp increase in foodborne outbreaks raises concerns about the efficacy of public health infrastructure and the safety of the national food supply chain.
Just as the US is recovering from a major cyclospora outbreak stemming from tainted iceberg lettuce, salmonella has turned up in jalapeños, eggs, and even dog food. The jalapeño-related outbreak is now responsible for at least 431 illnesses and 57 hospitalizations in more than two dozen states. Meanwhile, a dual-pathogen outbreak of E. coli and salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts has affected 55 people across 15 states.
The article explicitly links the rise in illnesses to specific policy decisions and funding cuts under the Trump administration.
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