No Canadian outbreak of cyclospora parasite from U.S. tainted lettuce

Federal officials say there have been no outbreaks of cyclospora in Canada and that no lettuce implicated in an ongoing U.S. outbreak has been distributed in the country. Iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell restaurants in five American states—Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia—has been identified as a source of the outbreak.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Friday it is in contact with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and reviewing information provided by American authorities. "The CFIA continues to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with U.S., federal and provincial partners and will take appropriate action to protect Canadians if a food safety risk is identified," it said in a statement. The agency is not considering restrictions on fresh produce imports from the United States and routinely tests for cyclospora as part of its surveillance program.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has warned people not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bells in affected states. Data released this week suggests that since May, nearly 7,000 people in multiple states may have been sickened with cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness that can lead to watery diarrhea lasting six to seven weeks.