US Reports 1,400+ Cyclospora Cases Linked to Mexican Lettuce

U.S. health authorities have announced that preliminary laboratory findings link a recent outbreak of foodborne illness to lettuce imported from Mexico, prompting a recall of several brands distributed across multiple states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that genetic sequencing of the pathogen isolated from patients matches strains found in samples taken from shipments originating in Mexican production facilities, leading officials to advise consumers to discard any lettuce purchased from the affected lots.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health has publicly contested the U.S. claim, stating that its own investigations have found no evidence of contamination in the country's lettuce supply and that the testing methods used by U.S. agencies do not meet international standards. The ministry emphasized ongoing cooperation with foreign partners to verify the safety of agricultural exports and urged the public to await conclusive results before drawing conclusions. Both governments have pledged further joint testing to resolve the dispute and to ensure the safety of the food chain.