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Xinhua Beijing, October 3rd. The US Food and Drug Administration announced on the 2nd that it has concluded the investigation into the largest recorded outbreak of cyclosporiasis infection in the United States. Although the investigation could not fully identify the source of contamination, all evidence indicates that the outbreak was related to romaine lettuce imported from Mexico by US agricultural supplier Taylor Farms. According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 12,000 people in 21 states across the country were infected with cyclosporiasis after consuming contaminated lettuce, with 570 hospitalized and 2 deaths, triggering one of the largest food recalls in the US in recent years. The US FDA stated that the investigation could not definitively determine the specific contamination pathway and source, but cyclospora was detected in two samples. The sampling locations were both in the lettuce growing and processing areas, and the evidence "strongly supports" the claim that the recalled lettuce is linked to the illness of over ten thousand people. One of these two positive samples was taken from an external discharge wastewater storage tank at a processing plant of Taylor Farms Mexico, a subsidiary of Taylor Farms USA. The other sample was taken from a drainage ditch on a lettuce farm. Craig Hedberg, a food safety expert at the University of Minnesota, believes that the two positive samples and the conclusions of the epidemiological investigation of the outbreak can mutually confirm each other. "All clues are consistent with the situation that gradually emerged in the summer, and the vast majority of related cases are related to lettuce imported from Mexico." The peak season for cyclospora in the US is usually from May to August each year. Since May 1st this year, the US has reported 19,883 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with cases related to contaminated romaine lettuce accounting for more than half. The scale of illness this summer far exceeds previous years. From May 1 to August 31, 2025, a total of 1,180 cases were reported in the US. This outbreak lasted throughout the summer and affected US consumer confidence. Some consumers avoided fresh fruits and vegetables and reduced dining out. Restaurants such as "Taco Bell," which specializes in Mexican-style fast food, "Sweetgreen," which promotes healthy salad bowls and light meals, and "Chipotle," known for its Mexican burritos, all saw a decline in customer traffic. The US CDC announced the end of this outbreak on September 11th. The FDA said that to prevent similar incidents from recurring before the 2027 growing season, monitoring of agricultural products prone to carrying this parasite will be increased, and China and Mexico are also discussing prevention and control measures. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by various small cyclospora parasites, which can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. Infected individuals may be asymptomatic or may experience symptoms such as watery diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, stomach pain, and nausea. If not treated promptly, the condition can last for days to months and may recur. The disease is generally not life-threatening.
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