Full Breakdown
U.S. Declares End to Record Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Linked to Imported Iceberg Lettuce
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Context
The summer-long cyclosporiasis outbreak was traced to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The parasite *Cyclospora cayetanensis* spreads when food or water is contaminated with human feces. Federal investigators first linked thousands of illnesses to Taco Bell meals that contained the lettuce between June 22 and July 20, then broadened the source to the Taylor Farms production facility in central Mexico.
Timeline of Key Events
- May 1 – CDC began recording laboratory-confirmed cases that would later be grouped into the multistate outbreak.
- June 22 – July 20 – Epidemiological data identified Taco Bell meals with shredded lettuce as a common exposure.
- July 16 – FDA announced the start of its investigation.
- July 17 – Taylor Farms de Mexico issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from its central-Mexico operations; the recall affected grocery chains such as Walmart and food-service distributor Sysco.
- August 20 – FDA conducted onsite inspections and sample collection at lettuce growers and the processing facility in Mexico.
- August – Reported infections fell to fewer than two per day on average.
- Later this month – CDC officials declared the outbreak officially over.
Impact and Data
- 12,883 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases were recorded across 21 states.
- 570 hospitalizations and 2 deaths (both in Michigan) were reported.
- The outbreak accounted for more than half of the 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases reported in the United States since May 1.
- At the peak, more than 1,000 infections were reported in a single day; by August, daily incidence dropped to under two.
Official Statements & Responses
- The CDC’s final update confirmed that “the best-by dates for all product linked to this outbreak have passed and it is no longer available in stores or restaurants.”
- The FDA reiterated that its investigation into how the parasite entered the supply chain remains ongoing, noting that onsite inspections in Mexico have concluded while laboratory analysis of the samples is pending.
- Max Teplitski, chief science officer of the International Fresh Produce Association, said the industry is prepared to cooperate with authorities to identify the root cause and prevent future events.
- Donald Prater, Acting Deputy Commissioner for the FDA’s Food Human Foods Program, urged producers to apply science-based agricultural water management, worker health, and sanitation practices consistent with the Produce Safety Rule.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The best-by dates for all product linked to this outbreak have passed and it is no longer available in stores or restaurants.” — CDC
- “Our teams stand ready to support and to work alongside the agencies, and we will keep at that work. We will not rest until we identify the root cause of this outbreak so that the lessons we learn prevent another event,” — Max Teplitski, IFPA
What's Next
The FDA will continue post-outbreak activities, posting updates on a dedicated webpage for multistate Cyclospora investigations. Ongoing sampling from the Mexican facility will be analyzed, and the agency plans to work with Mexican public-health officials to strengthen preventive controls for imported produce. Industry groups have pledged to review and reinforce supplier verification programs to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act.