Cyclospora was found in a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, federal health authorities said, prompting the company to expand its recall to several states due to a growing outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that the contaminated sample was collected as part of a targeted import inspection and was not part of Taylor Farms' ongoing product recall program. The agency reported that the batch containing the contaminated product has been seized, and the California-based agricultural company is working to determine whether any of the contaminated lettuce lots remain on the market or in consumers' homes.
The positive test result came after Taylor Farms announced a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and the removal of all such lettuce from the U.S. market due to potential Cyclospora contamination.
«"We are actively working to remove the affected products," Taylor Farms said in its recall notice. "We have stopped accepting products from the affected lot, suspended shipments of iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and continue to cooperate with the FDA, CDC, and government agencies.".
Taylor Farms is preparing a product recall, denying that its signature salads are linked to the outbreak.
According to the FDA, the recall affects 12-ounce and 24-ounce bags of Marketside iceberg lettuce, as well as 8-ounce and 16-ounce bags of Marketside shredded iceberg lettuce, distributed between June 29 and July 16, with best-before dates of July 18 and August 3. The recall also includes numerous products distributed to food service establishments.
Read in the Fox Business app.
The affected salad was distributed in 27 states. The recall follows the FDA's announcement Thursday that Taco Bell will stop using salad from a supplier linked to a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has sickened 1,644 people and hospitalized 94 in five states. No deaths have been reported.
Taco Bell said it voluntarily recalled potentially contaminated salad from suppliers in certain states where cases have been reported.
An Ohio man has sued a Taco Bell franchise owner, claiming a Cyclospora infection left him out of action for two weeks.
Taylor Farms previously said its branded salad products were not linked to the outbreak.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Friday, the company confirmed that none of its signature salad kits were involved in the issue and said it had voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce from its Taylor Farms de Mexico facility after receiving information from the FDA.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that its investigation identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce used at Taco Bell restaurants, where infected customers reported consuming it before becoming ill. The agency stated that not all Taco Bell restaurants in five states received the lettuce from this supplier.
The FDA says Taco Bell will stop doing business with a salad supplier linked to a multistate outbreak of parasitic diseases.
The agency is investigating cases of illness in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia and has advised consumers in those states not to eat shredded Mexican iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants.
According to the FDA, Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, fatigue, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
The agency urged anyone who purchased the recalled salad to immediately throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
FOX Business's Brittany Miller contributed to this report.
Original article: Taylor Farms lettuce sample found to contain cyclospora, product recall expands.