FOOD SAFETY
References
1. FDA. BAM 19b: Molecular Detection of
Cyclospora cayetanensis in Fresh Produce
Using Real-Time PCR. (2017). https://
www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/
LaboratoryMethods/ucm073638.htm
Accessed April 2, 2019.
2. FDA. (2018). FDA Investigation of
Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora
Illnesses Linked to Del Monte Vegetable
Trays Ends. https://www.fda.gov/Food/
RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/
ucm610982.htm Accessed April 2, 2019.
In FY 2018, FDA sampled fresh herbs, specifically basil, parsley and cilantro.
FDA ORA laboratories tested these domestic and imported products for
Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). FDA also added the
newly developed Cyclospora method to this sampling assignment, as past
Cyclosporiasis outbreaks were linked to imported produce, including basil
and cilantro.
company has since reported that it has
changed suppliers of its salad mix in the
affected states.
While the two outbreaks do not seem to
be related, the scope of these outbreaks
show the timeliness of FDA’s new method
for confirming the parasite’s presence and
contributing to food recalls.
FDA Sampling Assignment
FDA routinely conducts sampling
assignments that assess microbial
contamination in targeted food
commodities in response to previous
outbreaks and environmental signals.
For a specified time period, FDA collects
and tests a selected group(s) of foods,
both domestic and imported, to better
characterize microbial risk.
In FY 2018, FDA sampled fresh herbs,
specifically basil, parsley and cilantro. FDA
ORA laboratories tested these domestic
and imported products for Salmonella and
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). FDA
also added the newly developed Cyclospora
method to this sampling assignment, as
past Cyclosporiasis outbreaks were linked
to imported produce, including basil
and cilantro.
PublicHealthLabs
@APHL
In August 2018, FDA reported 6 two
samples of imported cilantro that were
positive for C. cayetanensis. The imported
shipments associated with the positive
sample were refused entry into the US.
Additionally, FDA confirmed the presence
of the parasite in a domestically produced
cilantro sample. FDA initiated an
investigation into the domestic producer,
and another sample taken from the farm
was positive. FDA worked with state
officials and the producer to initiate a
voluntary recall and worked on corrective
actions with the farm to reduce further
contamination.
3. CDC. (2018). Multistate Outbreak of
Cyclosporiasis Linked to Del Monte
Fresh Produce Vegetable Trays – United
States, 2018: Final Update. https://
www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/
outbreaks/2018/a-062018/index.html
Accessed April 2, 2019.
4. CDC. (2018). Multistate Outbreak of
Cyclosporiasis Linked to Fresh Express
Salad Sold as McDonald’s Restaurants –
United States, 2018: Final Update. https://
www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/
outbreaks/2018/b-071318/index.html
Accessed April 2, 2019.
5. FDA. (2018). FDA Investigation of a
Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses
Linked to Fresh Express Salad Mix Served at
McDonald’s Ends. https://www.fda.gov/Food/
RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/
ucm613513.htm Accessed April 2, 2019.
6. FDA. (2018). FDA Sampling Assignment
Update Identifies Cyclospora in Herbs.
https://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/
ConstituentUpdates/ucm618781.htm
Accessed April 2, 2019.
This was the first confirmed evidence of
Cyclospora in domestic produce. FDA was
able to remove the contaminated product
from the food supply, possibly preventing
human illness. FDA plans to train staff
and deploy the Cyclospora detection
method to additional laboratories in the
coming year. With more laboratories able
to perform investigative and surveillance
testing for this parasite, and with federal
and state regulatory partners willing to
take action on the results of this fully
validated test, the US food supply will be
that much safer. n
APHL.org
Spring 2019 LAB MATTERS
13