The most significant outbreak of cyclospora food poisoning in U.S. history has concluded, according to U.S. health authorities on Friday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials have confirmed the removal of all recalled iceberg lettuce associated with this outbreak from the market.
Federal officials report nearly 13,000 documented cases of cyclospora linked to the outbreak spanning multiple states. While Canada has experienced isolated instances of cyclospora cases in recent years, there have been no reported Canadian cases related to this specific outbreak.
Despite the closure of the outbreak, several unanswered questions linger, particularly regarding its origin. The parasite is transmitted through human feces, raising uncertainties about how sewage could have contaminated enough food to cause illness in numerous individuals.
Ellen Shumaker, the outreach director of Safe Plates, a food safety program at North Carolina State University, explained that contamination can occur when produce is grown in tainted soil or comes in contact with contaminated water.
Since May 1, the government has received reports of almost 20,000 lab-confirmed cases, which is over 16 times the figure reported during the same period last year. Additionally, more than 6,100 suspected cases have been documented. The highest previous year for infections in the U.S. was 2019, with approximately 4,700 reported illnesses nationwide.
Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite causing watery diarrhea, has triggered a significant outbreak in the U.S., affecting over 1,000 individuals and leading dozens to seek medical attention. While cases typically spike in spring and summer, the current outbreak stands out due to its unusually high incidence, making it one of the largest in the country’s history. No fatalities have been reported.
This year’s surge in cases, notably associated with iceberg lettuce, affected 21 states. Despite the outbreak linked to lettuce, numerous cases remain unconnected to this specific incident. Michigan bore the brunt of the outbreak, reporting the highest number of cases and the two deaths in the U.S. associated with the outbreak.
Initially focusing on lettuce served at Taco Bell, investigators later pinpointed Taylor Farms as the lettuce source, prompting the company to recall iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico.
The Taylor Farms recall encompassed thousands of packaged salad products containing iceberg lettuce mixed with other vegetables, distributed to major U.S. restaurant chains, including Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC.
The FDA announced the conclusion of on-site inspections and sample collection at iceberg lettuce growers and the processing facility in Mexico. The agency currently awaits the analysis of samples collected during the inspections.
The outbreak shed light on a growing issue: a decline in international inspections by U.S. regulators to prevent contaminated produce from reaching American consumers.