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. Consumers who have purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately and not consume it.

Recall Details

The recall includes shredded iceberg lettuce product distributed from 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.

Taylor Farms has suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico to the United States and is no longer receiving products from the implicated lot. The recall notice includes brand abbreviations and some product descriptions, including use-by dates, but does not mention specific retailers or product names.

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 has removed the lettuce from its restaurants and its nationwide supply chain.

Health Risks

People with cyclosporiasis may have symptoms that include watery diarrhea, cramping, and bloating for weeks, which can lead to dehydration. Cases of the intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite are surging across the US, with nearly 7,000 confirmed or under investigation in 34 states since May 1.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.