Canada not yet affected, officials say
Canadian officials have confirmed that the country is currently unaffected by a U.S. outbreak of the parasite cyclospora linked to iceberg lettuce. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is monitoring the situation but has not implemented import restrictions.
Why it matters
Public health coordination between the U.S. and Canada is critical for managing food safety and preventing the cross-border spread of foodborne illnesses.
OTTAWA — Federal officials say there have been no outbreaks of the diarrhea-causing parasite 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 has been identified as a source of the outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bells in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Friday that it’s 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.
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