A recent recall by Taylor Farms has led to the withdrawal of iceberg lettuce distributed across 27 states. However, the recall announcement lacks specific details about where the products were sold and how consumers can avoid them. While the FDA indicated that some of this lettuce was available at Walmart, reports suggest the affected lettuce also reached Jack in the Box restaurants and food distribution companies like Cisco and US Foods. Additionally, a blend including romaine lettuce was affected.
The source of the new cases, announced by the FDA on Wednesday, remains uncertain. It is unclear whether it is linked to the previous outbreak or from a separate source entirely. The FDA has not disclosed where the cases have been reported or their connections, and the potential food sources under investigation are still vague. Follow-up studies by the FDA are currently ongoing.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees both the FDA and the CDC, did not respond swiftly to Ars Technica’s query. Other media outlets, including the New York Times, have also noted a lack of response from the FDA and CDC regarding this latest outbreak.
Both agencies have been significantly impacted by budget and staff reductions during the previous administration. In addition to this latest incident involving Cyclospora, the FDA is also looking into 10 other public investigations related to various foodborne illness outbreaks, including salmonella, Escherichia coli, Clostridium botulinum, and listeria monocytogenes.
Source: arstechnica.com