Mexico confirms no Cyclospora parasite in lettuce samples analyzed with U.S.

Mexico's Ministry of Health has reiterated that analyses conducted with U.S. authorities have not detected the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis in samples of Mexican lettuce. The Mexican government, through the Ministry of Health and the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), stated that joint analyses with the United States have found no evidence of the parasite in lettuce samples collected by both countries.

Cofepris specifically analyzed 10 lettuce samples, five of raw material and five of processed product, along with four water samples from the Taylor Farms Mexico plant during an inspection from July 18 to 20. The commission reported finding no evidence of the parasite, using standard real-time PCR molecular methods.

The ministry clarified that the association of the recent Cyclospora outbreak in the United States with lettuce consumption is based on epidemiological association, not laboratory proof. This means the link is derived from patient interviews and statistical studies, indicating probabilities rather than positive analytical evidence from agricultural products.