FDA releases plan for Cyclospora prevention following iceberg lettuce outbreak

The US Food and Drug Administration has drafted a 10-point plan to prevent future Cyclospora outbreaks following summer cases linked to fresh produce, Food Safety News reported. The largest outbreak of the season was associated with iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms and resulted in nearly 13,000 illnesses, 560 hospitalisations, and two deaths. [1]

The FDA concluded its investigation into the outbreak after detecting Cyclospora at Taylor Farms de Mexico, according to reports from CIDRAP, KSBW, and Food Manufacturing. ConsumerAffairs and Food Processing both confirmed that federal regulators traced the origin of the outbreak to the facility and closed the probe. [2][3][4][6][7]

Cyclospora species require warm and humid environmental conditions between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius over seven to 15 days for unsporulated oocysts shed in feces to become infective. Human infections are most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions across more than 54 countries, frequently linked to fresh produce such as berries, herbs, and leafy greens. [9]

The response to the outbreak exposed communication gaps within the agency, DTN Progressive Farmer reported. The newly proposed 10-point plan aims to mitigate future contamination risks across fresh produce supply chains. [1][5]