FDA looks at iceberg lettuce supplier in parasite outbreak
NBC News reports nearly 7,000 people may have been sickened nationwide, with 1,645 confirmed cases and more than 5,100 still being reviewed.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating an iceberg lettuce supplier as a possible source of a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak, NBC News reported Thursday.
The illness is caused by a parasite and can bring what NBC News described as “explosive” diarrhea in people who become infected. The report did not name the supplier under investigation.
Nearly 7,000 people across the country may have been sickened, according to NBC News. Of those, 1,645 cases have been confirmed, while more than 5,100 remain under investigation.
The FDA probe puts iceberg lettuce at the center of the latest turn in an outbreak that has already drawn national attention. NBC News has also reported that cases of the stomach illness have been rising across the U.S. and that officials have warned the outbreak could continue through the summer.
The figures reported Thursday show the split between confirmed illnesses and cases still being reviewed. Health investigators are working through thousands of possible infections while looking at whether the lettuce supplier is connected to the outbreak.
NBC News described the situation as a parasite outbreak and identified cyclosporiasis as the illness involved. The report did not provide additional details about where the supplier is based, where the lettuce was sold, or whether any recall had been issued.
No response from the supplier was included in the NBC News report, and the company was not identified by name.
The investigation remains active, according to NBC News, with federal officials examining the possible link to iceberg lettuce as the number of confirmed and suspected cases nears 7,000 nationwide.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.