Breaking: FDA Finds Cyclospora at Mexican Farm Tied to Record US Lettuce Outbreak

The US Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday that its inspectors detected cyclospora at a Mexican farm linked to the largest foodborne illness outbreak of the parasite in US history. The discovery was made in two locations: a wastewater tank and a drainage ditch used for lettuce cultivation. The outbreak, which infected nearly 13,000 people, was declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to the FDA's announcement.

FDA officials said it remains unclear how the lettuce became infected with cyclospora, a parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness. The outbreak, which spanned multiple states, was the largest of its kind in US history, prompting widespread recalls of romaine lettuce and heightened scrutiny of imported produce. The CDC's declaration that the outbreak had ended came after a months-long investigation that traced the contamination to the Mexican farm.

The FDA's findings underscore ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of imported produce and may lead to increased inspections and regulatory measures for farms exporting to the US. Mexican agricultural authorities have not yet issued a response, but the discovery could impact trade relations and consumer confidence in lettuce and other fresh produce from the region. The FDA is expected to continue its investigation to determine the exact cause of the contamination and prevent future outbreaks.