By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
Taylor Farms has voluntarily recalled certain iceberg lettuce products after federal health officials linked them to an ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness that can cause severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the investigation centers on shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico that was served at certain Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working alongside state and local health agencies, continue investigating whether additional restaurants, retailers, products, or states may be connected to the outbreak.
As part of its response, Taylor Farms has voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and announced it will indefinitely suspend sourcing iceberg lettuce from the region identified during the traceback investigation.
The recall includes selected shredded and chopped iceberg lettuce products, salad blends, and some private label items distributed to grocery stores, restaurants, and food service providers. Products with use by dates extending into early August may be affected.
Federal health officials emphasized that not every Taco Bell restaurant in the five affected states received the implicated lettuce. However, consumers are advised not to eat food containing shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia until the investigation is complete.
Consumers who purchased recalled lettuce products should discard them or return them to the place of purchase. The FDA also recommends thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing any refrigerator shelves, containers, utensils, or other surfaces that may have come into contact with the affected lettuce to help prevent cross contamination.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal infection known as cyclosporiasis. Symptoms commonly include prolonged watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, bloating, increased gas, and weight loss. Symptoms typically begin about one week after consuming contaminated food but may appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure. Without treatment, the illness can last for several weeks or longer.
Anyone who develops symptoms of cyclosporiasis, particularly after eating shredded iceberg lettuce within the past two weeks, should contact a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.
Taylor Farms said its branded salad kits are not included in the recall because they do not contain iceberg lettuce. The company also stated it is cooperating fully with federal investigators and has removed the affected products from the marketplace as a precaution.
The FDA said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional products, restaurants, or locations could be identified as more information becomes available.
