A recall issued by Taylor Farms led to the recall of iceberg lettuce that the company distributed in 27 states. But the retirement list was vaguewithout providing consumers with information about where the lettuce was sold or how they could avoid it. The FDA reported that some of the lettuce was sold at Walmart stores, while media reports found that the lettuce was also sold at Jack in the Box restaurants and food distributors Sysco and US Foods. It was also sold in mixes with romaine lettuce.
It’s not yet clear whether the new outbreak the FDA identified Wednesday ultimately comes from an entirely different source or is related to that outbreak. The FDA did not provide information about where the cases were identified or how they may be related. Similarly, it is unclear what potential food sources are being investigated, although the FDA said a traceback investigation is underway.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which houses both the FDA and the CDC, did not immediately respond to Ars Technica’s requests for comment. Other outlets, including the New York Times, also reported that the FDA and CDC did not respond to questions about the new outbreak.
Both agencies have been hit hard by budget and personnel cuts by the Trump administration. In addition to the six cyclospora outbreaks this year, the FDA has 10 other open investigations into foodborne outbreaks, including outbreaks caused by Salmonella, Escherichia coli, botulinum clostridiumand Listeria monocytogenes.
