FDA Retracts Cyclospora Test on Taylor Farms Lettuce

Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite. This summer, over 1,600 cases have been reported, though the source remains unidentified.

The FDA recently announced that a test, which initially showed the presence of Cyclospora in lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, was a false positive. The FDA stated, “[The finding] does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive.” Although the sample was a false positive, the FDA’s investigation and Taylor Farms’ product recall are still in effect based on epidemiological data.

The FDA advises against consuming iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, grown or processed in Mexico. These products were used in Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, but have now been removed. The recall also affects iceberg lettuce distributed in 27 states and Walmart stores in 15 states.

Health officials recommend that consumers discard any recalled lettuce. This advice stems from interviews with sick individuals, many of whom had eaten Taco Bell’s lettuce. Ongoing testing of lettuce and produce at the border has not yet revealed any positive results.

The outbreak has led to over 1,600 confirmed cases of diarrhea. Ninety-four hospitalizations have occurred, with no deaths reported. Taylor Farms highlighted that “FDA has not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora,” despite recalling iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.

To prevent infections, experts recommend cooking produce to at least 158 F. Thorough washing can also reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis. However, summer records often show several cases, making the outbreak more concerning.

Donald Schaffner, a microbiologist, noted that these outbreaks often comprise separate clusters and are not always linked. While determining the source can help control the outbreak, it’s challenging in cases like the ongoing Cyclospora spread.

Potential sources include water involved in consumption or agriculture. Schaffner concludes that not all sources are food-related, highlighting the complexity of identifying the infection’s origin.