Cyclospora found at Mexican farm linked to lettuce outbreak, FDA says

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   FDA Links Lettuce Outbreak to Taylor Farms Mexico Facility

   The US Food and Drug Administration has concluded its parasite probe by linking a major cyclospora outbreak to a Taylor Farms site in Mexico. Inspectors detected the microscopic parasite in the environment where iceberg lettuce was grown and processed. The announcement follows a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declaration that the outbreak, which infected nearly 13,000 people and stands as the largest foodborne illness outbreak of the parasite in United States history, has ended.

   Why it matters

   Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness marked primarily by watery diarrhea, spreading through feces-contaminated food and water. Outbreaks in the United States have frequently been tied to contaminated produce from tropical and subtropical regions. The closure of this federal investigation provides a definitive conclusion to a massive public health event that affected thousands of consumers during the summer.

   What is confirmed

   • The FDA detected cyclospora at the Taylor Farms Mexico site where lettuce was grown and processed.
   • The outbreak is linked to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce.
   • The CDC declared an end to an outbreak that infected nearly 13,000 people.
   • The event marks the largest foodborne illness outbreak of the parasite in US history.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Mexico stated that the FDA lettuce probe did not conclusively identify the source of contamination.

   What to watch next

   • Any official response or rebuttal from Taylor Farms regarding the FDA findings
   • Further regulatory actions or import restrictions affecting agricultural facilities in Mexico
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — FDA finds potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce
   2. The Washington Post — FDA found cyclospora at Taylor Farms Mexico site and where lettuce was grown
   3. The Detroit News — US FDA closes lettuce parasite probe, links outbreak to Mexico facility
   4. The New York Times — F.D.A. Found Cyclospora During Taylor Farms Inspection in Mexico
   5. The Guardian — Cyclospora found at Mexican farm linked to lettuce outbreak, FDA says
   6. Reuters — US FDA closes cyclospora lettuce parasite probe, finds strong link to Taylor Farms Mexico
   7. Fox Business — FDA concludes investigation into Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce
   8. www.nbcchicago.com — Cyclospora found at Mexican farm linked to lettuce outbreak ...
   9. www.aol.com — Cyclospora found at Mexican farmed linked to lettuce outbreak, FDA says - AOL
   10. www.foodsafetynews.com — FDA found Cyclospora at Taylor Farms lettuce operation
   11. Reuters — Mexico says FDA lettuce probe did not conclusively identify contamination source
   12. www.theguardian.com — Cyclospora found at Mexican farm linked to lettuce outbreak ...
   confidence 95%