Federal health officials are continuing to test food for Cyclospora after discovering that samples of iceberg lettuce gave false positive results for the parasite that has sickened thousands of people across the United States.
After lettuce samples from Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora on July 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on July 19 that retesting revealed the test was a false positive.
As of July 19, no samples tested for Cyclospora have yielded positive results, the FDA said. However, officials said they are continuing to work with Taylor Farms to continue investigating the source and collecting and testing samples.
Still, Taylor Farms announced a large-scale voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce products on July 17 as a result of the outbreak and investigation. The illness was initially linked to lettuce from Mexico’s Taylor Farms, which was sold in some Taco Bell stores in five states.
Cases of cyclosporiasis, a disease caused by a parasite, have surged in more than 30 states in recent weeks. People with this disease usually have “explosive” diarrhea or other severe gastrointestinal illness.
Introducing the latest information on cysticercosis, including the number of cases and recalled products.
Taylor Farms recalls lettuce due to false positives
On July 17, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico due to possible contamination with Cyclospora.
The next day, the FDA announced that lettuce samples taken from Taylor Farms, which were not part of the recalled batch, tested positive for the parasite. The company later announced that the results were false positives and retracted its findings.
However, Taylor Farms has recalled both lettuce products served at Taco Bell restaurants and certain bagged lettuce products sold under the Marketside brand at Walmart.
Taylor Farms said in a statement that all other products, including those available for purchase, are not involved in the recall.
The company said, “Our thoughts are with everyone who has fallen ill due to this outbreak. We will continue to work with public health authorities as the investigation into the outbreak continues.”
See recalled Taylor Farms lettuce on sale at Walmart
The recalled Walmart products are the only retail items removed from shelves. The remaining products were distributed for school lunches.
“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority,” Walmart said in a July 18 statement.
Affected products include 12-ounce and 24-ounce Marketside Iceberg Salad Bags and 8-ounce and 16-ounce Marketside Shredded Lettuce. According to the FDA, they were sold at Walmart stores in the following states:
- Alabama
- arkansas
- florida
- georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- kentucky
- louisiana
- missouri
- mississippi
- oklahoma
- tennessee
- texas
- virginia
- west virginia
Products can be identified by a “use by” date between July 18th and August 3rd.
If you own an affected product, please discard it or return it for a refund.
Taco Bell links lettuce picking to cyclosporosis outbreaks
Taco Bell, which used iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak, announced on July 17 that it had removed the product from its restaurants, federal officials said.
“Based on our ongoing dialogue with public health officials and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell worked quickly to voluntarily remove the product from our restaurants and the affected ingredients have been removed from our supply chain nationwide,” the company said in a statement.
According to the FDA, Taco Bell restaurants in at least five states received affected lettuce: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, but more states may be involved.
A complete list of recalled products, including food service products, can be found on the FDA site.
How many cases of cyclosporosis are there?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that as of July 13, more than 1,600 people have been confirmed to have been infected with the virus nationwide, and that they are working to confirm more than 5,000 additional cases.
The latest total includes 141 people hospitalized with the illness. So far, 34 states have reported cases dating back to May 1, according to the CDC.
What is cyclosporiasis? Symptoms, treatment
According to the CDC, cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
The agency said the disease is usually not life-threatening and can be treated with antibiotics, but symptoms can be prolonged in people with weakened immune systems.
According to authorities, common symptoms of cyclosporiasis include:
- watery diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- convulsions
- bloating
- increase in gas
- nausea
- fatigue
According to the CDC, some people who are infected may not develop symptoms, but symptoms can last for more than a month.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Contributor: Mike Snyder
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.
