FDA closes lettuce parasite investigation, links outbreak to Mexico facility

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has closed its investigation into the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history. While officials could not determine how the contamination occurred, they linked the summer parasite outbreak to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The Cyclospora parasite was detected in a wastewater tank and drainage ditch where the lettuce was grown and processed. The agency has announced a 10-point prevention plan ahead of the 2027 growing season.

Cyclospora outbreak investigation closure

• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a 10-point plan to prevent similar cyclosporiasis parasite outbreaks linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico ahead of the 2027 growing season
• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could not definitively determine how the Cyclospora contamination linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce occurred
• ▪On October 2, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration closed its investigation into the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history

Taylor Farms Mexico facility

• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration linked the summer parasite outbreak to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico
• ▪Patient illness reports and supply-chain tracking strongly supported the link between the recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce and the summer multistate Cyclospora outbreak

Debatable claims

• ▪The FDA should not have closed the Taylor Farms investigation without finding the cause of contamination
• ▪The FDA's 10-point plan is insufficient to prevent future Cyclospora outbreaks
• ▪Taylor Farms de Mexico bears primary responsibility for the historic Cyclospora outbreak
• ▪US reliance on Mexican agricultural imports poses an unacceptable food safety risk