The US Food and Drug Administration has closed its investigation into the lettuce-linked Cyclospora outbreak after detecting the parasite at two sites in Mexico. In findings announced October 2 and covered by ABC Audio on October 3, the agency said the results strengthen the link to recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce, without establishing how contamination occurred.
The FDA lists 12,883 illnesses across 21 states, 570 hospitalizations and two deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak over on September 11. Those totals describe the completed outbreak; they are not newly reported infections following the environmental findings.
According to the FDA, one positive sample came from a tank holding wastewater leaving the processing facility. The other came from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce grower identified through supply-chain tracing. Genetic profiling of both samples is complete, but comparison with clinical specimens remains under analysis.
Taylor Fresh Foods told ABC Audio that its central Mexico facility remains closed while researchers help strengthen safety procedures. The company said the independent grower with a positive sample is no longer a supplier. It also emphasized that the wastewater sample came from outside its processing facility and that the contamination mechanism remains uncertain.
The FDA says all recalled lettuce associated with this outbreak is off the market. The agency advises people with symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a health professional, particularly if they ate shredded iceberg lettuce during the two weeks before becoming ill. The infection can cause diarrhea and dehydration, according to its advisory.
In a separate announcement, the FDA set out ten prevention activities planned before the 2027 growing season. These include closer monitoring of produce associated with Cyclospora, outreach to growers and an investigation report with prevention recommendations. The agency also plans to update its research and response strategy, extending prevention work beyond the closure of this investigation.
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