Home / Health / FDA Probes Mexico Lettuce Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak
FDA Probes Mexico Lettuce Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak
15 Aug
Summary
- FDA investigators inspected Taylor Farms' Mexican facility handling outbreak-linked lettuce.
- Nearly 14,000 cyclosporiasis cases reported nationwide since May 1.
- The contamination probe comes weeks after the outbreak was linked to shredded lettuce.
FDA investigators recently inspected Taylor Farms' operations in Mexico as part of an ongoing investigation into a widespread cyclospora outbreak. The microscopic parasite has been linked to nearly 14,000 reported cases nationwide since May 1, with thousands more potentially requiring further investigation. The agency examined the processing facility where lettuce connected to the outbreak was handled.
This inspection follows weeks after health officials identified Taylor Farms' shredded lettuce as the source of the contamination. Concerns have been raised that evidence of the contamination conditions may have been lost due to the delay. Taylor Farms suspended production at the facility on July 18 and recalled over three million pounds of lettuce.
Michigan has become an epicenter with over 13,000 cases. The illness, caused by consuming contaminated food or water, leads to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. As of August 13, the FDA confirmed inspections at the Taylor Farms de Mexico facility, noting that most illnesses began before the July 17 recall.
