Mexican Cilantro Banned From US, Linked To Intestinal Illness From Parasite

We all love guacamole (hold the peas) and Mexican food, but watch out if your cilantro comes from Puebla, Mexico — it might make you sick.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a statement on July 27 saying that cilantro from Puebla may contain cyclosporiasis. Cyclosporiasis is a parasite that causes intestinal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with this parasite usually have severe and prolonged diarrhea.

Health officials said that the conditions at the Puebla farms, packing houses, and processors were unsanitary: human feces and toilet paper were found in growing fields around the facilities, which were also cited for inadequate toilet and hand washing supplies, dirty food surfaces, and contaminated sewage water used to wash the cilantro.

Chipotle and Taco Bell will not be affected by Mexican cilantro, because both restaurants source their cilantro from California.

In 2013, a cyclosporiasis outbreak in 25 states was traced back to cilantro from Puebla and a salad mix from Taylor Farms de Mexico. Six hundred and thirty-one cases were reported.