This summer, every meal is a gamble, with cyclospora and salmonella turning up in lettuce, jalapeños, eggs, and even dog food. The FDA reports over 12,800 illnesses linked to foodborne outbreaks in 2026, surpassing 2020 figures. The scale is unprecedented, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities.

Experts attribute this summer’s woes to chronic underfunding, gaps in federal policy, and cuts to public health infrastructure. The cyclospora outbreak, once rare, now poses a significant threat, with the FDA undercounting actual cases due to limited testing resources.

The FDA’s 2022 traceability rule, intended to prevent such outbreaks, remains unimplemented. A loophole allows importers, brokers, and trading companies to bypass traceability checks, undermining the rule’s effectiveness. Congress has delayed implementation, frustrating public health advocates.

The situation underscores the need for robust food safety measures, yet the system’s weaknesses persist. Until these issues are addressed, diners might just have to keep their fingers crossed.