FDA Detects Cyclospora at Mexican Farm Linked to Historic U.S. Lettuce Outbreak

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Friday that its inspectors detected the parasite Cyclospora at a Mexican farm associated with the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history. The outbreak, which sickened nearly 13,000 people across 21 states and resulted in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths, was declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) less than a month ago.

FDA inspectors reported finding Cyclospora in two locations on the farm: a wastewater tank and a drainage ditch used for irrigating lettuce crops. However, the agency noted that it remains unclear how the lettuce became contaminated.

The findings come amid conflicting results from investigations. Mexico’s own food safety authority conducted an independent review and reported not detecting Cyclospora in lettuce or water samples from the facility. Additionally, the FDA recently retracted an initial positive test result for Cyclospora from a sample of lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms collected at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The FDA’s visit to the farm in Guanajuato took place more than six weeks ago. Notably, this inspection marked the agency’s first visit to the facility in over seven years, reflecting a significant decline in international food safety inspections following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite uncertainties surrounding the contamination pathway, the FDA stated that the collected samples offer “strong epidemiological evidence” connecting the outbreak to the Taylor Farms site.

In a separate statement issued Friday, Taylor Farms pointed to an independent grower previously supplying the operation, saying, “That individual is no longer part of our supplier program.” The company confirmed that its facility in central Mexico remains closed while it collaborates with its research team to strengthen safety measures from farm to packaging.

Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite, causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, which is characterized by persistent watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue, loss of appetite, and gas. According to the CDC, infections with Cyclospora are less common than outbreaks linked to Salmonella or E. coli.

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