Mexico says the FDA investigation did not conclusively identify how cyclospora contamination occurred in Taylor Farms' shredded iceberg lettuce. Cofepris reported negative lab results for raw materials, finished products and water from the inspected facility, and cautioned that environmental detections alone are not definitive. The FDA noted a strong epidemiological and traceback link to the recalled lettuce and recorded two environmental samples in Mexico that tested positive. The CDC reported 12,883 illnesses, 570 hospitalizations and two deaths; the outbreak was declared over on Sept. 11.
FDA Probe Did Not Pinpoint Source of Cyclospora Contamination in Taylor Farms Lettuce, Mexico Says
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
Mexico's Health Ministry said on Saturday that a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into a cyclospora parasite outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms in Mexico did not definitively identify the source or pathway of contamination.
What the FDA Found
The FDA reported a strong epidemiological and traceback link between the outbreak and recalled shredded iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms in Mexico. Investigators, however, said there was insufficient evidence to determine exactly how contamination occurred. The agency also reported two environmental samples in Mexico that tested positive for cyclospora: one from wastewater leaving a processing facility and another from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce farm.
Cofepris Response
Mexico’s food-safety regulator, Cofepris, said tests conducted by its national reference laboratory on raw materials, finished products and water samples taken from the facility under investigation returned negative results for cyclospora using standard laboratory methods. Cofepris emphasized that environmental detections by themselves do not constitute conclusive proof that agricultural products were the origin of contamination.
Outbreak Impact
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the outbreak over on Sept. 11. The outbreak sickened 12,883 people across 21 U.S. states, resulted in 570 hospitalizations and was linked to two deaths.
Cooperation and Next Steps
Mexico said it cooperated throughout the investigation by providing traceability information, allowing inspections and supplying samples, and that it will continue technical collaboration with U.S. health authorities as investigations and reviews proceed. Authorities from both countries are continuing reviews to better understand potential contamination pathways and to strengthen preventive controls.
Bottom line: While traceback evidence strongly links the recalled shredded iceberg lettuce to the outbreak, investigators have not yet identified how cyclospora entered the supply chain, and laboratory testing at the investigated facility returned negative results for product and water samples.
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