Cyclospora Outbreak Expands: Taylor Farms Recalls Lettuce in 27 States as FDA Confirms Contamination
Federal health officials have confirmed what may be the largest Cyclospora outbreak in U.S. history. Following an FDA confirmation of a contaminated sample, Taylor Farms de Mexico has issued a massive recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, impacting 27 states.
The outbreak has been heavily linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations across five Midwest states: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. According to the CDC, there are currently over 1,645 confirmed cases and more than 5,100 additional cases under investigation. Michigan remains the epicenter of the crisis, reporting upwards of 5,000 cases and over 100 hospitalizations alone.
Retail and Health Impact
The reach of the contamination has prompted major retailers to take swift action. Walmart has proactively removed Marketside brand bagged lettuce from its shelves as a precaution. Across 34 states, 141 hospitalizations have been recorded, though fortunately, no deaths have been linked to the parasite at this time.
If you have purchased iceberg lettuce recently, officials urge you to check your packaging and discard any Taylor Farms products immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms like prolonged watery diarrhea or stomach cramps, consult a professional through NeighborCare Telehealth or your local provider.
Legionnaires’ Disease Update in NYC
In a separate health crisis, New York City officials reported the first fatality in a growing Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on the Upper East Side. To date, 67 cases have been confirmed, with cooling towers at 76 different buildings testing positive for the bacteria.
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Sources: The New York Times, Food Safety News, CDC, FDA.
