All articles tagged with #cyclospora
A Washington Post food columnist argues that lettuce provides little nutrition, wastes water and land, and contributes to foodborne illness; with Cyclospora outbreaks linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico, the piece urges readers to rethink lettuce consumption and consider alternative greens.
FDA updates tie iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms to a cyclospora outbreak that may have reached seven additional states (California, Delaware, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico), bringing total illness reports to over 27,000 across more than 40 states. Michigan has recorded two deaths. Recalled products should no longer be sold, and tracing the outbreak remains challenging for health authorities.
Federal officials say recalled Taylor Farms lettuce linked to a cyclospora outbreak may have been distributed to nine additional jurisdictions, expanding the potential reach of contaminated products; the best-by dates have passed, and these recalled items should no longer be sold in stores or restaurants.
CDC reports 15,716 lab-confirmed cyclospora infections across 47 states and DC since May 1, with cases still rising but the weekly increase slowing. Two deaths and 828 hospitalizations have occurred, and about 11,841 suspected cases await confirmation due to a six-week reporting lag. The largest cluster is linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, causing 9,481 cases and 398 hospitalizations across 17 states as of Aug. 13, while multiple other clusters remain under investigation.
New York faces a summer surge in cyclosporiasis linked to fresh produce, with thousands sick nationwide and hundreds in the city, though officials have not pinpointed a single source. Some cases have been linked to recalled iceberg lettuce in other states; in NYC, transmission sources remain under investigation. Health guidance emphasizes thorough washing of fruits and vegetables, and some people are cooking or choosing local/frozen produce or avoiding leafy greens, while experts differ on how drastic the dietary changes should be. Public health teams are tracing cases through interviews and supplier checks as they monitor the outbreak's evolution.
A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce drove a July drop in salad purchases, with Numerator reporting over 26 million U.S. households avoiding salads and more than 6.5 million skipping salad kits; per-household spending on lettuce and salads fell about 10.7% in affected states, and fast-food salad traffic declined around 16%. Recalls followed (Marketside iceberg lettuce, Taylor Farms withdrawals), while FDA says recalled lettuce is off the market; many shoppers plan to return once the outbreak is contained (about 82% intend to resume buying).
A 2026 multistate Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Fresh Farms has sickened over 9,400 people across 17 states as of Aug. 13, marking the largest Cyclospora outbreak in U.S. history. The piece notes that one of the worst overall foodborne incidents was a 1994 salmonella outbreak linked to ice cream from a Minnesota factory, infecting an estimated 224,000 people. It also notes that about one in six Americans contract a foodborne illness annually, that norovirus is the most common pathogen, and that public health networks like PulseNet (created in 1996) help detect outbreaks, while policymakers push for new food-safety policies.
Although part of FSMA since 2011, the FDA’s enhanced food-traceability rule—designed to trace tainted foods from farm to table—has been delayed 15 years by industry lobbying, pushing enforcement from 2026 to 2028. Advocates say the delay hampers rapid traceback during the cyclospora outbreak that sickened tens of thousands and killed two, while industry groups cite cost and complexity and press for workable timelines.
Missouri reports about 1,500 Cyclospora cases (including 90 in St. Louis) and a separate Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños in 27 states, prompting iceberg lettuce recalls. Health officials say there’s no guaranteed removal of the source, but produce is still safe to buy if washed thoroughly (bagged lettuce included). Stay updated via FoodSafety.gov recall alerts and consider buying from farmers’ markets for fresh, locally grown options.
FDA has begun inspecting Taylor Farms' Guanajuato, Mexico plant after linking its iceberg lettuce to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak; the company paused processing, issued recalls, and investigators are examining water sources and supply chains as cases rise across states.
FDA investigators traveled to Taylor Farms’ operation in Doctor Mora, Mexico, to inspect facilities tied to the U.S. cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce; inspectors plan to visit the surrounding fields next as the company had suspended production at affected facilities on July 18. The outbreak sickened nearly 10,000 people across 17 states, making this the largest cyclospora outbreak in the United States.
Lettuce prices fell 16.4% in July—the largest month-over-month drop on record—driven by consumer caution amid a multistate cyclospora outbreak, even as the year-over-year price rise remains around 7.5%. The FDA linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico, prompting recalls and weaker sales at several restaurant chains while the broader grocery-price category saw only a small overall increase. Analysts note relief for shoppers, but ongoing safety concerns limit how much demand rebounds in the near term.
US public health briefs highlight a summer surge in foodborne illness: the CDC counts thousands of Cyclospora cases and ongoing investigations, with Michigan reporting the most illnesses; a tainted-lettuce outbreak and separate Salmonella outbreaks contribute to the numbers, while Whole Foods recalls jalapeño-containing salsas and guacamoles; in a separate track, HHS funds rapid prenatal syphilis testing to prevent congenital syphilis, which rose in 2023-24; and researchers demonstrate AI-designed bacteriophages that kill resistant E. coli but call for strong biosafety safeguards.
The ongoing Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce is fueling renewed consumer interest in Black-owned farms like Deep Roots CPS Farm in Charlotte, as people seek trusted, locally grown produce and more culturally relevant options. Across the U.S., demand for local farms and CSAs is rising, but growth is hindered by higher expansion costs, labor shortages, and limited federal support for small Black-operated farms. The article argues for sustained, year‑round support for Black farmers and local food systems to build resilience and better access to healthy food.
A multi-state cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms prompted a July recall; as recalled products exit shelves and the incubation window passes, officials say the risk is lower and Michigan residents can resume normal food handling, though vigilance remains and some clusters are still under investigation. Most exposures occurred in June–July, with the recall likely limiting further cases, and experts continue to advise careful handling of fresh produce and, when possible, choosing whole heads over bagged greens.