MEXICO CITY: Mexican health and agricultural authorities have launched an investigation into a major foodborne illness outbreak in the United States linked to iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants.
The investigation comes after nearly 100 people were hospitalized in several US states with cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Mexico launches joint investigation
Mexico’s sanitary regulator Cofepris and the country’s agricultural and food safety agency Senasica announced on Friday that they have formed a joint technical working group to investigate the incident and implement preventive measures.
According to a joint statement, officials are conducting inspections and traceability analyses to determine the source of the contamination.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation is preventive and is intended to reduce any potential public health risks.
US outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 100 people have been hospitalized after consuming shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The illness has been identified as cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Symptoms typically include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Taylor Farms and Sysco remove lettuce
Following information provided by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), California-based produce supplier Taylor Farms and food distribution giant Sysco announced they are voluntarily removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
According to a Reuters source familiar with the matter, the lettuce was processed into 5-pound (2.3-kilogram) bags at Taylor Farms’ facility in Guanajuato, Mexico.
The source added that Sysco distributes the lettuce to hospitals, sports venues, restaurants, and major fast-food chains across the United States.
Mexico urges caution
Mexican authorities stressed that tracing the lettuce back to Mexico does not automatically prove that contamination occurred within the country.
“The investigation remains ongoing, and identifying a product’s country of origin through traceability does not, by itself, confirm that contamination occurred in Mexico,” the agencies said.
Officials said inspections and laboratory testing will continue until the exact source of the contamination is confirmed.
Previous outbreak raises concerns
This is not the first time Taylor Farms’ Mexican operations have been linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
In 2013, a similar outbreak sickened more than 600 people across 25 US states. The CDC traced that incident to salad mix produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico in Guanajuato.
Health experts say the latest outbreak highlights the importance of strict food safety standards, improved agricultural monitoring, and international cooperation to protect consumers and prevent future foodborne illnesses.
