Taylor Farms, a produce supplier, is recalling iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 US states because of potential contamination with cyclospora, a parasite causing thousands of cases of diarrhea across the country.

Recall Details

The company said it’s “actively removing” the products and has suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico to the United States. Consumers who have purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately and not consume it.

The recall includes shredded iceberg lettuce product distributed June 29 through July 16 in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Related Outbreaks

Federal health officials have linked a large cyclospora outbreak in the Midwest to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at some Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Taco Bell said it has removed the lettuce from its restaurants and its nationwide supply chain.

Other companies, including Jack in the Box and Sysco, have also taken action regarding the recall. Jack in the Box said it has removed the affected items and replaced them with lettuce from another domestic supply source.

People with cyclosporiasis may have symptoms that include watery diarrhea, cramping, and bloating for weeks, which can lead to dehydration. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nearly 7,000 confirmed or under investigation cases of cyclosporiasis in 34 states since May 1.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.