- Sysco is recalling packaged salad over suspected cyclospora contamination, citing a notification from product supplier Taylor Farms, which made the decision after Taco Bell.
- The FDA says the recall is due to suspected cyclospora contamination from a supplier in Mexico; Sysco says it is distributing the packaged salad produced by Taylor Farms across the United States.
- The CDC says there are 10,468 laboratory-confirmed cases and 12,255 total reported cases of infection in the United States; NBC News reports that the number of reported cases is expected to be higher.
Sysco, an American distributor, has recalled packaged salad sold in Mexico, citing the outbreak of cyclospora that, according to the company, began with Taco Bell. Regarding the recall, Sysco CEO Kevin Hourican said.
According to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall concerns packaged salad that began after Taylor Farms’ production in Mexico. The material notes that Sysco recalled the packaged salad after the company said the salad it distributed to Taco Bell was linked to the outbreak. The company was also said to have taken steps to prevent further distribution.
Hourican said the company is not buying packaged salad directly from Taylor Farms, in Mexico, but that Sysco distributes it. The material also notes that Sysco said it had been purchasing the packaged salad from Taylor Farms for some time.
Salad contamination can occur when a person becomes infected with cyclospora, which is transmitted through contaminated water or food. Taco Bell said Sysco was the distributor of the packaged salad.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness. The material also says that infection can lead to symptoms that may last for weeks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, salad contamination in the United States has resulted in up to 10,468 laboratory-confirmed cases and 12,255 total reported cases, which officials say are the highest number of reported cases.
Meanwhile, the material says that the salad outbreak is linked to the production of packaged salad, which was distributed by Sysco and sold at Taco Bell. NBC News also reports that the Food and Drug Administration was not aware of any specific cases involving the company Taylor Farms. It says that the outbreak affected stores in 27 states, and that the number of reported illnesses reached 3, according to the agency.