The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded a recall of more than 236,000 cases of produce, including various lettuce products from Taylor Farms de Mexico, to Class I, the highest risk classification. This designation signifies "a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
The recall, initially issued on July 17, is associated with possible contamination by the cyclospora parasite, which causes cyclosporiasis. This gastrointestinal infection is characterized by sudden and severe diarrhea. The United States is currently experiencing a record number of locally acquired cases, with at least 17,180 confirmed infections and nearly 12,000 additional cases under investigation. So far, 922 hospitalizations and two deaths have been reported across 48 states and Washington, D.C.
The recalled products, which include chopped iceberg lettuce, various lettuce blends, and salad mixes, were distributed to 27 states. The outbreak was first identified in July and has been linked to shredded lettuce served at certain Taco Bell locations, prompting the fast-food chain to temporarily remove lettuce from its menu.
Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico shortly after the outbreak was identified. However, the company stated that a positive test result for cyclospora in a sample of its lettuce was later found to be a false-positive, and subsequent testing by the company has not detected the pathogen. Taylor Farms has emphasized that no Taylor Farms branded salads or kits are associated with the outbreak and do not contain iceberg lettuce.
Despite these statements, acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas expressed confidence to CNBC that iceberg lettuce from central Mexico was the source of the outbreak. The FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services have stated that they are confident the affected lettuce has been removed from the market and that American food remains safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to investigate multiple clusters of cyclosporiasis, including the multistate outbreak linked to processed iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico.