US widens lettuce-related cyclosporiasis probe to 20 states

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have expanded their investigation into a cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico to encompass 20 states, bringing the total number of affected states to 20, according to the latest update on Thursday. The outbreak, traced back to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants and sourced from Taylor Farms' Mexican operations, has seen the case count surge to 11,458, with 495 hospitalizations.

The FDA announced that Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas have been added to the list of affected states since the last update a week ago. The cyclosporiasis outbreak stands out as one of the largest foodborne illness events in recent U.S. history, causing widespread concern among consumers regarding fresh produce. Symptoms of the illness include diarrhea, nausea, and other gastrointestinal issues.

The FDA is continuing to conduct onsite inspections and sampling at farms and the processing facility in Mexico, collaborating with Mexican authorities, as part of its ongoing efforts to address the outbreak. The agency remains confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce has been removed from the market and will persist in working with federal, state, and international partners to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Michigan has borne the brunt of the outbreak, reporting 14,510 cases, an increase of 14,510 or approximately 2% since the last update. Tragically, two deaths have been linked to the outbreak in Michigan, both occurring in individuals with significant underlying health conditions.