Taylor Farms cyclospora outbreak: Is your lettuce affected?

Is your Taylor Farms lettuce affected by the cyclospora outbreak?

The answer may be yes. An FDA recall tied to the Taylor Farms lettuce cyclospora outbreak includes iceberg lettuce products distributed in New Jersey and more than two dozen other states after a multistate outbreak sickened more than 1,600 people.

Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled certain iceberg lettuce products, including some Walmart Marketside-branded items, after investigators linked the produce to a cyclospora outbreak. Cyclospora is a diarrhea-causing parasite that can contaminate fresh produce. While the FDA later said a previously reported positive lettuce sample was a false positive, the recall remains active and the outbreak investigation continues

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What products are affected by Taylor Farms lettuce cyclospora outbreak?

The FDA food recall includes certain Marketside Iceberg Salad (12-ounce and 24-ounce) and Marketside Shredded Lettuce (8-ounce and 16-ounce) products sold at Walmart, along with dozens of shredded lettuce, chopped lettuce and lettuce-blend products distributed to food-service customers.

A complete list of affected products, lot codes and use-by dates is available in the FDA recall notice.

What is included in the Taylor Farms lettuce recall?

Taylor Farms de Mexico said it is voluntarily removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market after the products were linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak investigation.

Taylor Farms also recalled numerous shredded lettuce, chopped lettuce and lettuce-blend products distributed to food-service customers in New Jersey and 27 other states. A complete list of affected products, lot codes and use-by dates is available on the FDA recall notice.

What does the FDA Taylor Farms cyclospora false positive mean?

On July 19, the FDA said a lettuce sample that initially appeared to test positive for cyclospora was later determined to be a false positive after additional laboratory review. The agency said there are currently no confirmed positive product samples. However, the Taylor Farms recall remains active and the cyclospora outbreak investigation is ongoing.

Was recalled Taylor Farms lettuce distributed in New Jersey?

Yes.

Taylor Farms said recalled iceberg lettuce products were distributed in New Jersey between June 29 and July 16 as part of a distribution footprint that covered 28 states.

The FDA also said recalled Marketside-brand iceberg lettuce products were sold at select Walmart stores in several states. In a separate outbreak advisory, the agency identified Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia that received implicated iceberg lettuce. Taco Bell said it stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico on July 17.

What caused the Taylor Farms lettuce cyclospora outbreak?

Federal health officials are investigating a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The outbreak prompted Taylor Farms de Mexico to voluntarily recall affected lettuce products, suspend distribution of the implicated lettuce and work with the FDA, CDC and state health officials as the investigation continues.

What are Cyclospora symptoms?

Cyclospora is a diarrhea-causing parasite that causes an illness called cyclosporiasis. Symptoms can include frequent diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, gas, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Some people may also experience vomiting, headaches, body aches or fever. According to federal health officials, symptoms can last from a few days to a month or longer and may return after initially improving. Anyone who develops symptoms after eating recalled Taylor Farms lettuce should contact a healthcare provider.

What should consumers do if they bought recalled Taylor Farms lettuce?

Consumers who purchased recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce should throw it away and not eat it, according to the recall notice. The company says refunds are available at the place of purchase. Anyone who develops symptoms should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers with questions can contact Taylor Farms customer care at 855-455-0098 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network's Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Taylor Farms cyclospora outbreak: Is your lettuce affected?