Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce tests positive for Cyclospora, not in current recall

A sample of iceberg lettuce from supplier Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said, with the company confirming the sample came from a product not included in its current voluntary removal. The discovery was made as federal agencies investigated an outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to shredded iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell locations in several states, and the infections were first detected on 13 May.

The FDA said it collected the positive sample during targeted import surveillance related to the outbreak. Taylor Farms told authorities it has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico and notified customers while working with the FDA, CDC and state officials.

At least 94 people have been hospitalized and thousands infected in the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported. The CDC advised consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

Taco Bell said it completed removal of the affected Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants. The FDA noted the sample that tested positive was from a product outside the company’s current recall, and Taylor Farms is working to determine whether any of that implicated lot remains in commerce or in consumers’ homes.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The positive Cyclospora result was identified through FDA targeted surveillance of imports and confirmed by Taylor Farms as not part of their announced voluntary removal. The CDC has linked thousands of cyclosporiasis infections to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and sold at Taco Bell in at least five states. Taylor Farms has suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, notified customers and is cooperating with federal and state authorities.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Sample from Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce tested positive for Cyclospora and is not part of the company’s current recall.
• FDA collected the sample during targeted import surveillance amid an outbreak first detected on 13 May.
• CDC linked thousands of infections to shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia; at least 94 hospitalizations reported.