Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

FDA Links Lettuce To Cyclospora Outbreak That Infected Almost 13,000: Here's Why Mexico Disputes It

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded its investigation into the country’s largest Cyclospora outbreak. It said that there is strong evidence linking the illnesses to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. But Mexico is disputing how conclusive that finding is.

The outbreak sickened 12,883 people across 21 US states, according to the FDA. The agency said its investigation found environmental evidence of Cyclospora at locations where the lettuce was grown and processed, although it could not determine exactly how the contamination occurred.

The FDA conducted inspections and collected samples from several iceberg lettuce farms and a processing facility in Mexico.

Two environmental samples tested positive for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cyclospora-parasite-spreads-across-17-us-states-how-to-prevent-parasitic-infection-article-154821388" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cyclospora</a>. One came from a tank containing wastewater at the Taylor Farms de Mexico processing facility, while the other was collected from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce grower identified during the agency’s traceback investigation.

The FDA said these findings, together with epidemiological and traceback data, provided strong evidence connecting the outbreak to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.

However, the agency acknowledged that there was not enough evidence to conclusively establish how the lettuce became contaminated.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/biggest-cyclospora-outbreak-in-us-ends-after-13000-sick-2-dead-lettuce-contamination-mystery-remains-article-156148593" data-type="tilCustomLink">Biggest Cyclospora Outbreak In US Ends: After 13,000 Sick &amp; 2 Dead, Lettuce Contamination Mystery Remains</a>

Mexico's Health Ministry said the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-cyclospora-parasite-outbreak-nears-900-cases-experts-say-handwashing-key-to-prevention-article-154953679" data-type="tilCustomLink">FDA investigation</a> did not conclusively identify the source of contamination.

Mexico's food-safety regulator, Cofepris, said testing by its national reference laboratory found no Cyclospora in raw materials, finished products or water from the facility investigated in connection with the outbreak.

Cofepris also argued that environmental findings alone cannot prove that agricultural products were the source of the infections.

In other words, Mexico is not necessarily disputing that Cyclospora was detected in the environment. Rather, it is questioning whether those findings establish that contaminated lettuce was the source of the outbreak.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/broccoli-sprouts-linked-to-salmonella-outbreak-in-us-22-cases-reported-fda-says-article-156129871" data-type="tilCustomLink">Broccoli Sprouts Linked To Salmonella Outbreak In US: 22 Cases Reported, FDA Says</a>

The FDA's says that the environmental findings should be considered alongside the other evidence. The agency said the positive samples demonstrate that Cyclospora was present in the environment where the lettuce was grown and processed.

Combined with epidemiological data and findings from traceback, this supports the link to recalled lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. 

The FDA has also said it remains confident that all recalled iceberg <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/you-may-be-ruining-your-healthy-salad-with-these-mistakes-article-151279947" data-type="tilCustomLink">lettuce</a> connected to this outbreak has been removed from the US market.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/popular-potato-chips-brand-recalled-classified-under-highest-fda-risk-level-over-salmonella-contamination-article-154855340" data-type="tilCustomLink">Popular Potato Chips Brand Recalled, Classified Under Highest FDA Risk Level Over Salmonella Contamination</a>

The investigation initially focused on people who had reported eating shredded iceberg lettuce, including lettuce served at Taco Bell locations.

By July, FDA traceback investigators had identified <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cyclospora-parasite-outbreak-taylor-farms-recalls-iceberg-lettuce-in-27-us-states-article-155136261" data-type="tilCustomLink">Taylor Farms de Mexico</a> as a common supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce associated with affected locations. The company subsequently recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.

The CDC declared the outbreak over on September 11, although the FDA continued investigating how contamination occurred.

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Cyclospora is a parasite that causes <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/michigan-cyclosporiasis-cases-top-6500-but-rfk-jr-says-outbreak-under-control-article-155152508" data-type="tilCustomLink">cyclosporiasis</a>, an intestinal infection usually acquired by consuming contaminated food or water.

It can cause prolonged diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and weight loss. Symptoms can persist or return if the infection is not treated.

The scale of the outbreak in the US was massive. Before 2026, the largest recorded US cyclosporiasis season occurred in 2019, with around 4,700 illnesses documented nationwide. This single outbreak alone resulted in nearly three times that number.

At its peak, more than 1,000 infections were reported in a single day before the recall. By August, infections had fallen to fewer than two per day on average, after which the CDC determined that the outbreak was over.

The FDA now says it is confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce linked with this outbreak has been removed from the market.

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cyclospora

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taco bell

cofepris

cyclosporiasis

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded its investigation into the country’s largest Cyclospora outbreak. It said that there is strong evidence linking the illnesses to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. But Mexico is disputing how conclusive that finding is.The outbreak sickened 12,883 people across 21 US states, according to the FDA. The agency said its investigation found environmental evidence of Cyclospora at locations where the lettuce was grown and processed, although it could not determine exactly how the contamination occurred. FDA's InvestigationThe FDA conducted inspections and collected samples from several iceberg lettuce farms and a processing facility in Mexico.Two environmental samples tested positive for Cyclospora. One came from a tank containing wastewater at the Taylor Farms de Mexico processing facility, while the other was collected from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce grower identified during the agency’s traceback investigation.The FDA said these findings, together with epidemiological and traceback data, provided strong evidence connecting the outbreak to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.However, the agency acknowledged that there was not enough evidence to conclusively establish how the lettuce became contaminated.Mexico Dispute's FDA ClaimsAlso read: Biggest Cyclospora Outbreak In US Ends: After 13,000 Sick & 2 Dead, Lettuce Contamination Mystery RemainsMexico's Health Ministry said the FDA investigation did not conclusively identify the source of contamination.Mexico's food-safety regulator, Cofepris, said testing by its national reference laboratory found no Cyclospora in raw materials, finished products or water from the facility investigated in connection with the outbreak.Cofepris also argued that environmental findings alone cannot prove that agricultural products were the source of the infections.In other words, Mexico is not necessarily disputing that Cyclospora was detected in the environment. Rather, it is questioning whether those findings establish that contaminated lettuce was the source of the outbreak.What Does The FDA Say?Also read: Broccoli Sprouts Linked To Salmonella Outbreak In US: 22 Cases Reported, FDA SaysThe FDA's says that the environmental findings should be considered alongside the other evidence. The agency said the positive samples demonstrate that Cyclospora was present in the environment where the lettuce was grown and processed. Combined with epidemiological data and findings from traceback, this supports the link to recalled lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The FDA has also said it remains confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce connected to this outbreak has been removed from the US market. How Did The Outbreak Begin?Also read: Popular Potato Chips Brand Recalled, Classified Under Highest FDA Risk Level Over Salmonella ContaminationThe investigation initially focused on people who had reported eating shredded iceberg lettuce, including lettuce served at Taco Bell locations.By July, FDA traceback investigators had identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as a common supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce associated with affected locations. The company subsequently recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The CDC declared the outbreak over on September 11, although the FDA continued investigating how contamination occurred. What Is Cyclospora?         Cyclospora is a parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection usually acquired by consuming contaminated food or water.It can cause prolonged diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and weight loss. Symptoms can persist or return if the infection is not treated.The scale of the outbreak in the US was massive. Before 2026, the largest recorded US cyclosporiasis season occurred in 2019, with around 4,700 illnesses documented nationwide. This single outbreak alone resulted in nearly three times that number.At its peak, more than 1,000 infections were reported in a single day before the recall. By August, infections had fallen to fewer than two per day on average, after which the CDC determined that the outbreak was over.The FDA now says it is confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce linked with this outbreak has been removed from the market.

fda links lettuce to cyclospora outbreak that infected almost 13,000: here's why mexico disputes it

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FDA Links Lettuce To Cyclospora Outbreak That Infected Almost 13,000: Here's Why Mexico Disputes It

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