Cyclospora Outbreak Is Ending, Here’s What That Means for Unresolved Cases

While federal investigators eventually linked the largest outbreak cluster to shredded iceberg lettuce, scientists never identified a cyclospora-positive lettuce sample.

Cases and health response

And although lettuce emerged as the leading suspect based on epidemiological and traceback evidence, the precise point at which contamination occurred may never be known.

Cyclospora can be difficult to trace and contaminated produce often disappears from the supply chain long before testing begins.

By the time outbreaks are recognized, the food responsible has frequently been consumed or discarded. The uncertainty extends beyond the Taylor Farms-linked illnesses.

In many of those cases, no definitive source was ever identified.

And, according to University of Florida food sciences professor Keith Schneider, it probably never will be.

Health investigation

Federal health agencies have repeatedly said they are investigating multiple Cyclospora outbreaks and thousands of additional illnesses that appear unrelated to the lettuce cluster.

"If they couldn't find the definitive cause for the lettuce, they're not likely to find definitive cause for the others, either," Schneider told Newsweek.