FDA Finds Evidence Linking Cyclospora Outbreak to Recalled Taylor Farms Lettuce
The FDA concluded its investigation of a Cyclospora outbreak, citing environmental samples that tie the parasite to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that its investigation into a Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico has identified strong evidence connecting the infections to products recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The outbreak, which affected more than 12,800 people in 21 states and resulted in hundreds of hospitalizations, also included two deaths in Michigan among individuals with serious underlying conditions.
Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily withdrew all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from U.S. stores in July. Following the recall, FDA inspectors conducted onsite visits in Mexico and traced the lettuce to several farms and a processing facility that supplied the shredded product distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods.
Two environmental samples tested positive for Cyclospora, one from a tank holding outgoing wastewater at the processing plant and another from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce farm. While the agency could not determine the exact route of contamination, it said the findings support the epidemiological data linking the outbreak to the recalled lettuce.
"While there is currently not enough evidence to conclusively determine how contamination occurred in this outbreak, the positive samples show that Cyclospora was present in the environment where lettuce was grown and processed," the FDA stated.
"This adds to the strong epidemiological data and traceback convergence supporting the link between this outbreak and recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico," the agency added.
A spokesperson for Taylor Fresh Foods said the independent grower where a positive sample was found is no longer part of its supplier program and noted that the sample came from waste water outside the processing facility. The company said there is still insufficient evidence to determine how the contamination happened or how the environmental results relate to clinical specimens.
The FDA said it is confident that all recalled lettuce linked to the outbreak has been removed from the U.S. market. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had declared the outbreak over on Sept. 11. Cyclospora is a single-celled parasite that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, though some infected individuals may show no signs.