Mexican Authorities Probe Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to US Lettuce Supply

Mexican health and agricultural authorities have launched an investigation into a widespread U.S. foodborne illness outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico. The development has prompted major U.S. food distributor Sysco and supplier Taylor Farms to remove the product from their supply chains following guidance from U.S. regulators.

Official Investigation Underway

In a joint statement, Mexico’s sanitary regulator, Cofepris, and its agricultural and food safety agency, Senasica, confirmed they have formed a technical working group to investigate the matter. The agencies stated that their inspections and traceability analyses are "strictly preventive in nature" and are aimed at mitigating potential health risks.

However, the Mexican ministries cautioned that the investigation is ongoing. They emphasized that "identifying a product’s country of origin through traceability does not, by itself, confirm that contamination occurred in Mexico."

Supply Chain Disruption

Acting on information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), California-based lettuce supplier Taylor Farms and America's largest food distributor, Sysco, said they are removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. An industry source told Reuters the product in question was packaged in 5-pound (2.3-kg) bags at a Taylor Farms facility in Guanajuato, Mexico.

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Sysco distributes these products to a wide range of commercial clients, including fast-food chains, hospitals, and sports venues, indicating a potentially broad impact on the food service industry.

Outbreak Details and Historical Context

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported around 100 hospitalizations due to cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that can cause severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. The illnesses have been traced to shredded lettuce consumed at Taco Bell restaurants across five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

This is not the first food safety issue linked to the Guanajuato facility. According to the CDC, the same Taylor Farms de Mexico operation was identified as the source of a major U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak in 2013 that sickened more than 600 people in 25 states.