Mexico says FDA lettuce probe did not conclusively identify contamination source

MEXICO CITY, Oct 3 (Reuters) – Mexico’s Health Ministry said on Saturday that a US Food and Drug Administration investigation into the cyclospora parasite outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico did not conclusively identify the source of contamination.

• Mexico’s food-safety regulator Cofepris said tests conducted by its national reference laboratory on raw materials, finished products and water from the facility investigated in the outbreak were negative for the cyclospora parasite.

• The regulator added that environmental findings alone do not constitute conclusive evidence that agricultural products were the source of contamination.

• The FDA said on Friday it found a strong epidemiological and traceback link between the outbreak and recalled shredded iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms in Mexico, but said there was insufficient evidence to determine how contamination occurred.

• The agency reported two environmental samples positive for cyclospora in Mexico, one from wastewater leaving a processing facility and another from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce farm.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak over on September 11. The outbreak sickened 12,883 people in 21 states, hospitalized 570 and was linked to two deaths.

• Mexico said it cooperated throughout the investigation, providing traceability information, inspections and samples, and would continue technical cooperation with US health authorities.

(Reporting by Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )

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