Cyclospora illnesses linked to imported fresh basil

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses potentially linked to fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Mexico.

FDA’s traceback investigation indicates that the fresh basil available at points of sale where consumers became ill was exported to the United States by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico.

The FDA has requested a voluntary recall and the firm has agreed. The FDA has also increased import screening on basil and will continue to investigate the cause and source of the outbreak as well as the distribution of products.  

Consumers should also not eat or serve uncooked items like pesto or salad, that may include fresh basil from Mexico, unless consumers are certain that the fresh basil was not exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV.

Consumers should not eat or serve uncooked items like pesto or salad, that may include fresh basil from Mexico.

The FDA strongly advises importers, suppliers, and distributors, as well as restaurants, retailers, and other food service providers to not sell, serve or distribute fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico.

The FDA is working with the firm to facilitate the recall. As this outbreak investigation continues, the FDA will work with its Mexican food safety regulatory counterparts to better define the cause and source of this outbreak.

The FDA will update this advisory as more information becomes available.