A multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak traced by federal health authorities to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico to Taco Bell restaurants has grown to 11,458 reported illnesses across 20 states, with Georgia, Tennessee and Texas newly added to the outbreak.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A large foodborne illness outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce has expanded into three additional states, bringing the total number of reported cyclosporiasis cases to 11,458 across 20 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA announced Thursday that illnesses connected to the outbreak have now been identified in Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, adding the three states one week after the agency’s previous update.
Federal health authorities have traced the outbreak to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico to Taco Bell restaurants.
The outbreak, which began producing reported illnesses in July, has resulted in hundreds of hospitalizations and two deaths, according to health authorities.
Michigan has experienced the largest number of cases and is also the state where both deaths were reported.
Health officials said both people who died had significant underlying health conditions.
The addition of Georgia, Tennessee and Texas brings the number of states affected to 20 and makes the outbreak one of the largest foodborne illness events reported in the United States in recent years.
The scale of the outbreak has also begun influencing consumer behavior well beyond the restaurants and lettuce directly connected to the illnesses.
Dave Ciesinski, president and CEO of The Marzetti Company, said consumer concern has affected purchases of multiple categories of fresh produce.
The company owns and operates several retail food brands, including refrigerated salad dressings.
Ciesinski said sales of leafy greens fell by as much as 30% during the early stages of the outbreak.
Vegetable purchases also declined by approximately 16% to 17%, while fruit sales dropped as well, indicating that concerns surrounding contaminated lettuce have affected broader shopping decisions.
“Suffice it to say, they’re changing their behavior,” Ciesinski said of consumers during an appearance on “The Claman Countdown.”
The illnesses are caused by Cyclospora, a microscopic, single-celled parasite capable of producing prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infection can cause stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, weight loss and other health problems.
Some people who become infected experience no symptoms.
For those who do become ill, symptoms generally begin about one week after infection, according to the CDC.
The illness can persist for several days or as long as a month.
Cyclospora infections can also follow an intermittent pattern in which symptoms appear to improve or disappear before returning one or more times.
The growing number of cases has placed additional attention on the fresh-produce supply chain as regulators continue tracking illnesses associated with the contaminated iceberg lettuce.
The FDA’s latest update confirms that the outbreak has continued spreading geographically even after authorities identified the source.
With 11,458 illnesses now reported in 20 states, the outbreak has moved beyond its initial impact on restaurants and patients and is affecting consumer confidence in fresh produce more broadly.
Retail sales data cited by Ciesinski indicate that shoppers have responded not only by reducing purchases of leafy greens but also by cutting back on vegetables and fruit.
That wider reaction illustrates how a major contamination event involving one category of produce can influence buying habits across the grocery store.
Federal and state health officials continue monitoring the outbreak as additional cases are identified.
Consumers experiencing symptoms associated with cyclosporiasis, particularly persistent gastrointestinal illness following possible exposure, may require medical evaluation because symptoms can continue for weeks and can recur after appearing to resolve.
The FDA’s Thursday update leaves the outbreak at 11,458 reported illnesses across 20 states, with Georgia, Tennessee and Texas becoming the latest jurisdictions added to the growing total.
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