FDA Clarifies Cyclospora Test on Taylor Farms Lettuce
Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne illness resulting from contaminated food or water containing the Cyclospora parasite. The FDA retracted a previous test claiming Cyclospora in Taylor Farms de Mexico’s lettuce was found to be contaminated. This false-positive test does not impact the ongoing investigation, nor does it alter the voluntary recall based on epidemiological data. Consumers are advised to avoid iceberg lettuce grown or processed by Taylor Farms in Mexico. This lettuce was previously distributed to Taco Bells across five states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. It was also distributed at Walmart stores in 15 states.
Health officials recommend discarding any recalled Taylor Fresh Foods iceberg lettuce. The recommendation is supported by interviews with affected individuals who consumed the lettuce at Taco Bell.
The FDA is actively testing lettuce samples and produce at the southern border for Cyclospora. So far, these tests have not yielded positive results. There are over 1,600 confirmed and many more suspected cases of diarrhea caused by Cyclospora. Ninety-four individuals have been hospitalized, with no reported fatalities.
Taylor Farms issued a statement acknowledging FDA’s apology. The company voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico and stated they will cease sourcing from the region for the remainder of the season. The parasite causing the illness leads to diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea. To minimize infection risk, health officials suggest cooking produce to a temperature of 158 F and thoroughly washing it.
Experts highlight that, despite the large number of cases this year, Cyclospora outbreaks are common every summer. Determining the source quickly could prevent further illnesses. According to Donald Schaffner, a microbiologist at Rutgers University, the outbreaks are often separate and unrelated clusters.
Since the 1990s, cyclosporiasis outbreaks occur each summer, although most are smaller than the current one. Multiple Cyclospora sources exist, not necessarily sharing a common origin. Schaffner notes that some people are exposed to the parasite through means other than food, such as water consumption or use in agriculture. This contributes to the uncertainty surrounding the outbreaks.