Multistate cyclospora outbreak expands to 15 states
The Hill · C · trust 77/100
Comments: by Finya Swai - 08/05/26 10:43 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Finya Swai - 08/05/26 10:43 PM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday expanded its investigation into a Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, after the first two deaths associated with the outbreak were confirmed.
The outbreak, which was first identified in July among people who ate shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants, has since widened to more than 6,300 confirmed cases across 15 states, with two deaths in Michigan and 278 hospitalizations, according to the FDA.
“We also expect to continue to see the number of confirmed cases rise, despite the recall, due to the fact that it can take as long as six weeks for CDC and state officials to determine if a sick person is part of this outbreak,” the agency said.
Investigators traced illnesses to recalled Taylor Farms lettuce sourced from central Mexico and sold through retailers and food-service distributors.
Taylor Farms de Mexico announced a voluntary recall of its affected products on July 17, covering all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
The latest FDA update also linked the outbreak to six states : Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina. The agency said the expansion follows additional interviews conducted by state and local health officials, which identified more people who ate the affected lettuce before becoming sick.
The FDA said it has increased screening and sampling of imported lettuce at the border while continuing to work with federal and state partners to ensure recalled products have been removed from the market.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes symptoms including diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue, though some people experience no symptoms.
The FDA is urging customers and retailers to throw away any recalled lettuce, sanitize surfaces that may have come into contact with the affected product, and to contact a healthcare provider if they develop symptoms after eating shredded iceberg lettuce.
Read the original at The Hill →
Open in TruthVane →