Former FDA Food Safety Chief Advises Against Bagged Salads Amid Cyclospora Outbreak
A former FDA food safety chief, Susan Mayne, has advised consumers to avoid bagged salads due to a surge in cyclospora infections across the U.S. The outbreak, linked to the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, has resulted in 4,173 confirmed cases and 7,400 unconfirmed reports since May. The parasite, often found in fresh produce, causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The outbreak is one of the largest recorded in the U.S., with a cluster of illnesses previously linked to Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce. Despite no confirmed positive tests for Cyclospora in Taylor Farms products, the company has recalled potentially affected products and suspended production in central Mexico.