The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has retracted a previous positive test result for the Cyclospora parasite in lettuce samples from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The outbreak has already affected over 1,600 individuals this summer, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Initial tests suggested possible contamination in lettuce, but after further review, the FDA concluded these findings were false positives. Despite this, the FDA stresses that the ongoing investigation and the voluntary recall by Taylor Farms remain unchanged.
The agency advises against consuming iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico. This product was distributed at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, although Taco Bell no longer uses this lettuce. Additionally, the lettuce reached 27 states through distribution channels, including Walmart stores in 15 states.
Health officials continue to recommend discarding any recalled iceberg lettuce. This advice follows interviews with affected individuals who largely reported eating at Taco Bell restaurants serving this lettuce.
To ensure safety, the FDA continues to test lettuce samples and other produce at the southern border. They have not found any Cyclospora in these tests so far.
Currently, the outbreak has led to over 1,600 cases of diarrhea caused by Cyclospora, with 94 hospitalizations and no deaths reported. Taylor Farms has cooperated with the recall, ceasing the sourcing of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for the rest of the growing season.
The parasite Cyclospora causes symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea. To minimize infection risk, experts recommend thoroughly cooking produce to 158°F and washing it properly.
Microbiologist Donald Schaffner from Rutgers University highlights that outbreaks of cyclosporiasis are not uncommon and often appear in separate clusters. These clusters can originate from varied sources beyond food, including water used in agriculture or recreation.
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