More cases were identified as infections caused by the Cyclospora parasite occurred. The outbreak has been linked to Taylor Farms’ iceberg lettuce products.
Michigan is reporting 6,571 cases, up from 6,148 reported July 20. The most recent number of cases in Ohio is 2,029. Many patients in Michigan reported eating iceberg lettuce in Taco Bell products. The restaurant chain stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms.
The produce company recalled shredded iceberg lettuce and salad kits containing iceberg lettuce on July 17. The company’s customers include Walmart, Costco, Target, Whole Foods, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, as well as other fast food chains and Cisco, the nation’s largest food service provider. Sysco supplies a variety of restaurant chains, as well as hospitals, schools, hotels and other food service operators.
Some states are reporting thousands of cases, but numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remain stagnant. As of July 21, the agency reported that only 1,644 people had contracted cyclosporiasis between May 13 and July 13. According to the CDC report, 34 states have cases and at least one outbreak. The agency said there were 5,100 more patients with the disease under investigation.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that cyclosporiasis outbreaks in several states are “under control.” At a press briefing on July 21, Kennedy said the Department of Health and Human Services had conducted an extensive epidemiological investigation.
About Taylor Farms
Founded by Bruce Taylor, Taylor Farms is not a family farm. Rather, it is a major company with 25,000 employees and $6 billion in sales.
The company owns Earthbound Farms in California and is also growing operations in Mexico. It holds more than 40% of the bagged salad market in the United States.
In 2013, Guanajuato’s Taylor Farms salad mixes were brought to Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants; hundreds of sick people With Cyclospora. In 2024, sliced onions from Taylor Farms were added to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. More than a hundred people fell ill one person died. The FDA found dozens of violations, including dirty equipment, at plants that processed onions.
On July 16, Taylor Farms executives met with White House and FDA officials to defend the company and assert that there were “shortcomings” in the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s response to the outbreak, a spokeswoman said. new york times.
Introduction to Cyclospora
Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, small single-celled organisms. It is spread when people ingest contaminated feces, usually through contaminated food or water. Unlike E. coli or Salmonella, which can also be transmitted in animal feces, it can only be transmitted through human feces.
Anyone who develops symptoms of Cyclospora infection and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight parasites.
Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, fatigue, and severe dehydration. Symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure. Symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital and can last for a month or more. Symptoms may subside and then come back.
Food safety experts say washing produce doesn’t remove parasites because the parasites are embedded in the produce.
