Is iceberg lettuce from Mexico safe to eat?

Updated July 21, 2026:

Yes, astatine slightest according to disposable evidence. 

So far, authorities successful Mexico and the United States accidental determination is nary confirmed grounds that iceberg lettuce sourced successful cardinal Mexico was contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite liable for a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora infections successful the U.S. that is wide known for its unpleasant broadside effect of “explosive diarrhea.”

On July 21, Mexico’s Ministry of Health (SS) confirmed 3 cases of cyclosporiasis successful Mexico, but described the cases arsenic “usual” and ruled retired a home outbreak.

The quality improvement comes aft a series of conflicting findings successful the investigation, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) reversal connected July 19th of a affirmative trial effect for the Cyclospora parasite, obtained from lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms successful Guanajuato.

The mendacious affirmative was revealed aft the agency’s laboratory specialists reviewed the illustration again and concluded that the archetypal effect was incorrect.  

Taylor Farms de Mexico echoed the FDA’s connection and acknowledged its correction. “To beryllium clear, astatine this moment, FDA has not identified a azygous affirmative merchandise trial effect for Cyclospora,” the institution said. 

US parasite outbreak leads to a Mexican advisory for US-bound travelers 

Still, Taylor Farms maintains its voluntary callback of each iceberg lettuce produced successful cardinal Mexico, which was served astatine Taco Bell restaurants successful Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Taco Bell besides reported that it recalled lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico starting connected July 17. The products compromised are arsenic follows:

Marketside-brand merchandise disposable astatine Walmart described arsenic “Iceberg Salad 12-oz oregon 24-oz” and “Shredded Lettuce 8-oz oregon 16-oz” with Best if Used By dates of 7/18/2026 to 8/3/2026 and July 18th to Aug 3rd 2026

Speaking astatine Tuesday’s statesmanlike property conference, Health Minister David Kershenobich addressed the FDA’s correction and insisted that truthful far, determination is nary conclusive grounds of contaminated nutrient successful Mexico. 

Nonetheless, helium said Mexican authorities person gone to Guanajuato to instrumentality samples and behaviour their ain probe successful collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

In addition, the Mexican Ministries of Health and Agriculture activated an inter-institutional method radical led by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) and the General Directorate of Epidemiology (DGE) to collaborate with the U.S. successful the probe of the outbreak. 

From the outset, the Mexican authorities clarified that the notation to the state of root was a traceability measure, not conclusive impervious that the contamination had occurred wrong Mexican territory. 

Authorities successful Mexico said they volition proceed moving successful coordination with the U.S. to find the root of the outbreak and support the colonisation of some countries.

With reports from Bloomberg and El País