FDA closes Cyclospora lettuce investigation linked to Taylor Farms Mexico

The Food and Drug Administration has concluded its investigation into a major summer Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, The Packer and Food Processing both reported. KSBW and Food Safety News similarly reported that regulators tied the parasite contamination to a Taylor Farms growing and processing operation located in Central Mexico. [1][2][3][4]

The outbreak sickened nearly 13,000 people, according to Food Safety News, which noted that 560 people were hospitalized and two died. As FTMQ Food reported earlier, Food Safety News previously put the figure at 12,883 sickened people and 570 hospitalizations, alongside two recorded deaths. [3][5]

Inspectors confirmed the presence of Cyclospora after evaluating environmental samples. Regulators detected the parasite inside a processing facility and on a farm belonging to a contract grower in Mexico, as FTMQ Food reported earlier. [3][5]

In response to the illness numbers, the Food and Drug Administration drafted a 10-point plan designed to prevent future contamination on fresh produce, Food Safety News reported. The agency plans to carry out the actions outlined in its strategy between now and the start of the 2027 growing season. [3][6]