California lettuce producer recalls product over possible link to U.S. outbreak

Taylor Farms, a major U.S. producer of fresh vegetables and packaged salads based in California's Salinas Valley, has initiated a voluntary recall of its iceberg lettuce. The company acted after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified a potential link between the product and an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have connected the parasitic illness to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to specific Taco Bell locations. These restaurants have been identified as the source of the illness in dozens of reported cases. The FDA's investigation into the product's traceability prompted the recall.

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initiated the voluntary recall of its products

Federal authorities are currently investigating approximately 7,000 confirmed or suspected cases of cyclosporiasis nationwide. This number represents a more than 27-fold increase compared to the same period last year, according to CDC data. Of these, 1,645 cases have been confirmed since May 1, with over 5,100 still under analysis.

The CDC acknowledges that the actual number of illnesses could be higher, as infections are often underdiagnosed. Cases have been reported in 34 states, with Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky each reporting over 400 cases. The illness, characterized by severe diarrhea and other symptoms, is not typically transmitted person-to-person and is more common during warmer months, often originating from contaminated fruits and vegetables.

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the real number of illnesses could be higher