Americans Adjust Produce Consumption Amid Cyclospora Outbreak

Most Americans are paying attention to the cyclospora outbreak, with four out of ten people reducing their produce consumption as a result. Women and older individuals show a higher tendency to cut back on buying or eating produce than men and younger people.

This outbreak is capturing significant attention, comparable to the level of interest in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Those who are closely monitoring the cyclospora news are particularly inclined to reduce their produce intake.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) handling of the outbreak has elicited varied responses. While more Americans express confidence in the FDA’s response than not, few have a high level of trust in the agency’s capabilities. Political affiliations influence these perceptions, as Republicans tend to express more confidence in the FDA compared to Democrats.

This survey, conducted by CBS News and YouGov, gathered responses from a nationally representative sample of 2,193 U.S. adults between July 22 and 24, 2026. The sample included adjustments to reflect demographic characteristics such as gender, age, race, and education, in alignment with the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as the 2024 presidential vote. The survey’s margin of error is ±2.7 percentage points.