CDC — Notes from the Field: Doubling of Cyclosporiasis Cases Partially Attributable to a Specific Salad Kit — Florida, 2021–2022
Increase in gastrointestinal illnesses in Florida in 2022 linked to salad kits:
• Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by a parasite acquired through ingestion of food or water contaminated with feces that contain the parasite. After the reported number of cases doubled in Florida during 2022, investigators analyzed patient data to identify a common source for the increased number of infections.
• Of the 457 patients who completed questionnaires, 200 (43%) reported exposure to bagged salad, of which 85 (43%) noted a specific brand of Caesar salad kit (containing only Romaine lettuce) from a specific grocery store chain; these data, matched with specimen genotyping, helped identify a particular brand of bagged salad kit as the source of infection. This information was shared with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the grocery store chain to facilitate product traceback; however, the source of the contamination was not identified.
Will the FDA and CDC tell us – “Who made the Salad?” And, why are they telling us about a 2021-2022 outbreak in 2023?