The Cyclospora outbreak investigation took two big steps forward last week when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that, following a lead from the health departments in Iowa and Nebraska, it traced the source of the Cyclospora outbreak in those states to pre-packaged foodservice salad from Taylor Farms de Mexico served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in those sates. Together, Iowa and Nebraska account for 232 of the 442 cases of Cyclospora infection reported from 16 state health departments as of Friday.
While the breakthroughs answer some questions, they raise others. For example, what about the 210 cases of Cyclospora infection in 14 other states? What was the cause of those illnesses? Why isn’t it clear if they are linked to the Iowa/Nebraska outbreak? Where else was the implicated foodservice pre-packaged salad distributed? What are the other foods and food companies involved? And why hasn’t the Taylor Farms facility in Mexico been inspected since 2011?
Regarding distribution, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did not say in their announcements that the four restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska were the only places that received the tainted salad mix. “The FDA traceback investigation found that illness clusters at restaurants were traced to a common supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. The restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska include Olive Garden and Red Lobster, both of which are owned by Darden Restaurants. FDA’s investigation has not implicated consumer packages sold in grocery stores,” the announcement says. What other restaurants or establishments that serve food were included? For the 442 (and counting) people who have been sickened by a tiny parasite that produces a big list of long-lasting gastrointestinal symptoms, the answers to these questions can’t come soon enough.
I am from North Carolina, so I am confused about why they are saying it couldn’t be Taylor Farms and that the risk is only associated with restaurants.