Sysco Halts Mexican Lettuce Purchases Amid Record Cyclospora Outbreak
Over 10,000 confirmed cases and two deaths linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from central Mexico spark widespread recalls and economic impact.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
America's largest food distributor, Sysco, has ceased purchasing iceberg lettuce from Mexico.
The contaminated lettuce originated from central Mexico, specifically connected to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. This supplier furnishes numerous food establishments in the US, including some Taco Bell locations.
Yum Brands reported a 2 percent decline in sales for its current fiscal quarter, attributing the downturn directly to the cyclospora outbreak.
Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled lettuce distributed to restaurants in 27 states and grocery stores in 15 states.
The FDA upheld Taylor Farms' recall decision despite a subsequent test for cyclospora yielding a 'false positive' result.
As of July 24, at least 1,947 cases have been linked to the specific iceberg lettuce outbreak.
The true toll could stretch past 22,000.
CDC officials believe the true toll could stretch past 22,000. This projection accounts for 12,255 additional reports still awaiting laboratory confirmation and investigation.
Cases have been reported in 45 states since May, with an alleged expansion including the addition of six states: Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.
Symptoms of cyclospora infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. The disease normally resolves in two weeks and is rarely fatal.
Treatment for the infection consists of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Experts claim it is theoretically possible for people to become infected by touching surfaces that have been touched by a sick individual who did not wash their hands after using the toilet.
U.S. Food and FDA investigators continue examining whether other sources are also involved in the outbreak. The Trump Administration mounted a robust response, working closely with health departments in all 50 states.