Mexican Cilantro Now Banned In The US After Hundreds Got Sick

A ban on imported cilantro has been implemented by the Food and Drug Administration, KTLA reports. An investigation showed that some cilantro coming from Mexico was linked to hundreds of cases of intestinal illness in the United States.

The FDA stated that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified hundreds of cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the US that were linked to cilantro grown in the state of Puebla, Mexico, as far back as 2012.

Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness, is known to cause diarrhea and vomiting. It’s caused by microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanesis. The farms and packing houses that produce the cilantro have since been inspected, with five “directly linked” to the parasite and eight featured “objectionable conditions.”

Restrooms at the farms were lacking running water, soap and toilet paper. Human feces and toilet paper were found in the fields and the holding tanks tested positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis. Not good.

Without the proper documents, the FDA will not allow cilantro grown outside Pueblo into the US from April 1 through August 31.