An outbreak of over 400 Cyclospora-associated illnesses accross the midwest has been linked by U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials to Taylor Farms de Mexico a large processor of food service salad products.

CDC is still unsure whether all the illnesses reported are linked to these specific products or if there is another source that remains unidentified. The epi seems messy on this one. Here’s a food safety infosheet based on the information that is currently available.

Food safety infosheet highlights:

– Clusters of illnesses in the midwestern and eastern U.S. As of August 3, 2013:  400 ill, 21 hospitalized in 15 states, including IA, TX, NE, FL, WI, IL, GA, MI, AR, CT, KS, MN, NJ, NY, and OH.
– Cyclospora infections have a history Most previous cyclospora infections have been associated with Fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce.
– FDA traceback has linked some of the illnesses to salad mix supplied to Darden restaurants (including Olive Garden and Red Lobster outlets) by Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

Download the food safety infosheet here.