Cyclosporiasis outbreak in US: Taylor Farms supplier recalls lettuce from central Mexico as thousands become ill | Today’s news
California fruit and vegetable producer Taylor Farms, which has recently come under scrutiny after its shredded iceberg lettuce was linked as a possible cause of a cyclosporiasis outbreak, recalled its iceberg lettuce on Saturday (local time).
The company said it was removing all iceberg lettuce that came from central Mexico after a farm there was linked to an outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasite that sickened thousands in Michigan and surrounding states, Bloomberg reported.
Read also | Cyclosporiasis: Taco Bell is removing some ingredients as a precaution
Taylor Farms resembles iceberg lettuce
Taylor Farms noted that its Mexican subsidiary is voluntarily removing the product based on information shared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), adding that its representatives met with FDA and White House officials on Thursday “to discuss the best approach to ensure public health.”
The company said in the recall notice: “We are actively removing the implicated products. The company has stopped receiving products from the implicated batch, suspended distribution of Central Mexico iceberg lettuce, notified our customers, and continues to cooperate with the FDA, CDC and state authorities,” ABC News reported.
It went on to say, “While FDA surveillance points to a specific independent farm representing less than 1% of the US iceberg lettuce supply as a potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely.”
Read also | American cyclosporiasis outbreaks can be caused by contaminated lettuce or vegetables
Taylor Farms said no other products were affected, adding that its branded salad sets sold in supermarkets did not contain the affected lettuce. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Taylor Farms’ decision to recall its lettuce confirms that it is one of the likely sources of a widening outbreak of severe diarrhea that prompted Taco Bell to recall the ingredient from some restaurants earlier this week. On Thursday, U.S. health officials said the illnesses were linked to shredded lettuce served at various Taco Bell locations, pointing to an individual supplier without naming Taylor Farms.
Taco Bell is removing Taylor Farms lettuce from restaurants nationwide
After officials said the illnesses were likely linked to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, Taco Bell on Friday recalled the affected product from its restaurants nationwide.
In a statement, Taco Bell noted that it took “immediate steps to voluntarily remove potentially affected lettuce from a supplier in select states” following “ongoing discussions with public health officials.”
The statement added: “We believe public health is a shared responsibility of restaurants, their suppliers and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests.”
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the USA
While reports indicate that the United States reports cases of cyclosporiasis every year, the cases reported this year are higher than usual. The Washington Post reported Thursday that this year’s cyclosporiasis cases have largely been reported in southeast Michigan, where more than 4,300 cases were reported as of Thursday and at least 100 people were hospitalized.
An investigation by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that cases were also reported from four other states, including Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. It is spread when people consume food or water contaminated with the parasite.
