Taylor Farms has broadened its voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce, originally sent to 27 states, after federal health officials identified a connection between this lettuce and an outbreak of a parasite known to cause “explosive diarrhea.” The produce was sourced from a supplier in central Mexico.
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multistate cyclospora outbreak affecting at least 1,600 individuals to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied from a single source in Mexico.
On Friday, the California-based Taylor Farms announced the recall of 25 products that include shredded lettuce and salad mixes from the contaminated lot in central Mexico. The company has halted lettuce purchases from this source and is actively working to remove the impacted products from circulation.
In a statement, Taylor Farms emphasized, “We are actively removing the implicated products. The company has ceased receiving produce from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, informed our customers, and continues to collaborate with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.”
The recalled lettuce was distributed across several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Taylor Farms advised customers who have purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce not to consume it and to discard it immediately, warning customers that experience any health issues to contact their physician. They are offering full refunds at the location of the lettuce’s purchase.
The recall was in response to a rapidly expanding federal investigation to contain the foodborne illness. Earlier this week, the CDC identified possible exposure from a supplier in Mexico as the source of the outbreak, whose lettuce was then served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia
Taylor Farms’ recall covers products sold under eight different brand codes that were shipped as recently as Thursday and carry “best by” dates through Aug. 3.
The CDC has confirmed at least 1,645 cases of cyclospora infections and 141 hospitalizations. Cases have been identified in 34 states, with Michigan reporting the largest number of confirmed illnesses.
There are currently no reported deaths linked to the outbreak.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that spreads through food or water that has been contaminated with feces, most commonly when fresh produce is washed with contaminated water.
The infection can cause symptoms such as prolonged gastrointestinal illness, including severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite.