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News
U.S. health authorities declared an end to the largest recorded multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak in American history, linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms. Nearly 13,000 people across 21 states fell ill, with 570 hospitalizations and 2 deaths. The FDA says all recalled lettuce is off shelves, though the investigation into how the parasite entered the food supply is still ongoing.
U.S. health authorities have declared an end to the largest recorded multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak in American history. The outbreak was traced to contaminated iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico by Taylor Farms, which issued a full recall on July 17. The CDC and FDA confirmed the outbreak is over, noting that best-by dates for all implicated products have passed and shelves should be clear — though the FDA is still investigating exactly how the Cyclospora parasite entered the food supply.
The outbreak rattled consumer confidence, with shoppers avoiding raw produce and dining out less frequently, visibly impacting restaurant chains like Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Sweetgreen. Michigan was the hardest-hit state, with a large backlog of cases processed in August highlighting strain on a public health surveillance system weakened by federal funding cuts.
Why it matters: This outbreak exposed significant vulnerabilities in the U.S. food safety and public health surveillance systems, particularly for imported produce. The scale — dwarfing all prior cyclosporiasis seasons — underscores the need for stronger cross-border food safety controls and a well-funded disease tracking infrastructure.
