Cyclospora and the Iceberg Lettuce Recall: What Consumers Should Know and How to Stay Safe
A multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis has raised concerns about iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants and sold through other food-service and retail channels. Investigators have traced illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, although the precise source of the parasite has remained under investigation.
The situation became more confusing after federal officials initially reported that a sample of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce had tested positive for Cyclospora—the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis. The Food and Drug Administration later said laboratory experts had reexamined the sample and determined that the result was a false positive. As of July 19, the FDA said there were no confirmed positive product samples for Cyclospora. (Reuters)
That reversal does not mean consumers should ignore the recall or the broader investigation. The FDA’s traceback work had already identified a convergence on Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell locations where people later became ill. The agency has continued investigating the lettuce supply chain, and its latest update said it remains confident that the recalled iceberg lettuce associated with this outbreak is off the market. (Ottawa Health)
Why iceberg lettuce became a focus
The investigation began after health officials noticed a connection between people who developed cyclosporiasis and meals eaten at Taco Bell locations in several Midwestern states, including Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
According to the FDA’s investigation, 90% of Michigan cases interviewed who had eaten at Taco Bell reported consuming iceberg lettuce. Investigators subsequently traced the lettuce served at implicated locations to Taylor Farms de Mexico and a supplier in central Mexico. (Ottawa Health)
The investigation later expanded beyond Taco Bell. Recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce was distributed through food-service and retail channels, meaning the potential exposure was not limited to restaurant customers.
Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico in July. The recall initially covered products distributed in 27 states, while subsequent federal updates identified distribution across additional states. (The Guardian)
Importantly, the recall and investigation should not be interpreted as proof that every package of iceberg lettuce or every Taylor Farms product is contaminated. The FDA has specifically focused on the recalled iceberg lettuce associated with the investigation.
What the false-positive test means
The FDA’s initial announcement understandably caused alarm: if a laboratory sample from the implicated lettuce contained Cyclospora, that would have provided direct evidence of contamination.
But the agency subsequently said that result was incorrect.
A false-positive result means the test initially indicated the parasite was present when additional laboratory review determined that it was not. The correction is important because consumers should not be told that Cyclospora was definitively detected in that particular lettuce sample.
At the same time, the corrected laboratory result does not erase the epidemiological evidence that led investigators to the lettuce supply chain. The FDA has continued its investigation and conducted additional inspection and sampling at Taylor Farms de Mexico in coordination with Mexican officials. (CIDRAP)
In other words, the test result was false, but the investigation itself was not canceled.
How consumers can reduce their risk
Consumers in states affected by the recall should pay particular attention to official recall notices and avoid any recalled iceberg lettuce rather than trying to determine whether a particular package “looks” safe.
Food safety experts also recommend taking extra precautions with fresh produce during an outbreak investigation.
- Check recall information before eating recalled lettuce
If you have iceberg lettuce in your refrigerator, check the product, brand, lot information and dates against the current recall information. If the product is part of a recall, do not eat it.
Do not taste recalled food to determine whether it is safe. CDC guidance is straightforward: recalled food should be discarded. (CDC)
- Don’t assume washing makes recalled lettuce safe
Washing fresh produce is an important food-safety practice, but it should not be used as a way to “rescue” recalled lettuce.
CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking them. However, the agency also notes that routine cleaning and sanitizing methods are unlikely to eliminate Cyclospora. (CDC)
If lettuce has been recalled, the safest choice is to throw it away rather than attempting to wash away a potential parasite.
- Be especially careful with bagged and pre-cut produce
Bagged and pre-cut produce is convenient because it is ready to eat, but consumers have less opportunity to inspect and handle it themselves.
During an active recall or outbreak investigation involving a particular type of produce, consumers should follow the advice of state and federal health officials rather than relying solely on general food-washing practices.
If you choose to eat non-recalled fresh produce, wash your hands before handling it and rinse produce under running water before eating it. CDC says produce labeled “prewashed” does not need to be washed again at home. (CDC)
- Prevent cross-contamination
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing fresh produce. Clean cutting boards, knives, counters and other surfaces that come into contact with food.
Keep produce separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood to reduce the risk of spreading other foodborne pathogens around the kitchen. (CDC)
- Pay attention to symptoms
Cyclosporiasis primarily affects the intestines. The most common symptom is watery diarrhea, which can be frequent and sometimes severe. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, nausea and prolonged fatigue. (CDC)
Symptoms generally begin about a week after infection, although the incubation period can range from roughly two days to two weeks or longer. Without treatment, illness can persist for weeks or even longer and may improve before returning. (CDC)
Anyone experiencing prolonged or significant diarrhea should contact a healthcare professional and mention any possible exposure to the current outbreak. Testing for Cyclospora may require specific stool testing, so telling a healthcare provider about the potential exposure can be important. (CDC)
What consumers should remember
The changing laboratory findings surrounding the Taylor Farms lettuce investigation can make the situation seem contradictory. The key distinction is this:
The FDA’s reported positive lettuce test was determined to be a false positive, but the broader investigation linking illnesses to Taylor Farms-supplied iceberg lettuce has continued.
Consumers should therefore rely on the current recall and public-health guidance rather than assuming that the false-positive result means all concerns about the lettuce have disappeared.
The safest approach is to avoid recalled products, check for updates from health authorities, practice careful produce handling and seek medical advice if persistent watery diarrhea or other symptoms develop.
As investigations continue, consumers should also remember that Cyclospora is not something they can reliably identify by looking at or smelling food. Following official recall information is far more reliable than trying to judge whether lettuce appears safe.
For the latest information, consumers can consult the CDC’s cyclosporiasis information and FDA’s food safety and recall information.