FDA identifies farm and plant in Mexico linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak due to iceberg lettuce

The US Food and Drug Administration has identified a farm and processing plant in Mexico linked to iceberg lettuce, which is causing an "explosive" diarrhea outbreak in the States.

An outbreak linked to Mexican iceberg lettuce began on June 14. The cases included people who ate processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. It was served in various places, including the popular US Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell. US authorities officially confirmed the end of the epidemic on September 11.

“Of the samples collected during on-site inspections in Mexico, two tested positive for cyclospora,” the agency said in its report.

The first positive sample was taken from a wastewater tank at the Taylor Farms de Mexico processing plant, and the second was from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce farm.

US authorities continue to study the causes of the epidemic and are developing new measures to prevent the spread of cyclosporiasis and promptly respond to cases of its detection.

Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that during this time, of the 19,883 cases of cyclosporiasis identified, 12,000 were associated with Mexican iceberg lettuce. More than a thousand people were hospitalized and two deaths were reported in Michigan.