An FDA official said the US food supply remains safe despite a sharp rise in reported cyclosporiasis cases, as federal and state authorities investigate several outbreaks of the intestinal illness. The reassurance matters because the cases have heightened concern about fresh produce and food-safety oversight, while investigators seek to identify and remove any contaminated products.

More than 4,000 US cases have been laboratory-confirmed since May, with about 7,400 additional reports awaiting investigation, taking the total reported figure above 11,000. Cyclospora is a parasite often associated with contaminated food or water; officials have been examining produce, including shredded iceberg lettuce, in connection with some clusters.