Salads produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico and sold at U.S. restaurants appear to be the source of the cyclospora outbreak that has sickened hundreds in at least two states, Iowa and Nebraska, federal officials confirmed Friday night.
The Food and Drug Administration said an investigation revealed illness clusters at four restaurants that were traced to a common supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico. "As a result of the current investigation FDA is increasing its surveillance efforts on green leafy products exported to the U.S. from Mexico," the FDA said in a statement...
Nationwide, cyclospora infections have been reported in at least 16 states and have sickened at least 400 people as of August 1st.
The Iowa and Nebraska health departments previously had not disclosed the brand of the salads, and CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reported Thursday that both states cited laws preventing investigators from naming brands or companies if the product is no longer believed to pose a public health threat.
The cyclospora parasite causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis if people eat or drink contaminated food and water. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, flu-like aches and pains, and a low-grade fever. Health officials have said diarrhea can last nearly two months.