Agriculture Ministry strengthens monitoring of imported produce amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US

By: Sugar Ray Thomas

The Agriculture Ministry has strengthened its monitoring of imported produce amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States of America.

It is also reviewing all consignments of imported iceberg lettuce, other leafy vegetables and fruits originating in or transiting through the US.

This in a bid to verify the validity of traceability documentation and compliance with Jamaica’s import requirements.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.

The disease is contracted through consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite, particularly raw fruits and vegetables exposed to water contaminated by human waste.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, which can persist for weeks or months without treatment, as well as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue and weight loss.

A statement from the Agriculture Ministry says that based on available reports, several illnesses have been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce distributed through a commercial supply chain.

The ministry notes that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall notice for a specific brand of shredded iceberg lettuce due to suspected cyclospora contamination.

Additionally, the FDA has expanded traceback investigations, product sampling, and border screening activities as part of the ongoing investigation.

According to the ministry, as of July 18, both the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA are actively investigating the outbreak.

It said the CDC has reported 1,644 confirmed cases of the disease as of Saturday, including 94 hospitalisations.

The Agriculture Ministry informs that its Plant Quarantine and Produce Inspection Branch (PQPIB), which regulates the importation of plants and plant products into Jamaica, has been closely monitoring the ongoing situation regarding the outbreak in the USA.

This in a bid to safeguard Jamaican consumers.

The ministry says this is also necessary because Jamaica permits the importation of a variety of plant products, including fruits and vegetables, for both the domestic market as well as the hospitality sector.

Given the uncertainties surrounding the ongoing outbreak in the USA as well as the completion of the traceback investigation, the branch has strengthened its monitoring of imports of plant products that may pose a potential risk of contamination.

Further, the ministry has collaborated with the Health and Wellness Ministry, the Consumer Affairs Commission, the Jamaica Customs Agency, and other relevant regulatory entities to enhance surveillance at Jamaica’s ports of entry for products identified in FDA recalls or food safety advisories.

In the meantime, the ministry says it will provide timely updates should additional public health measures become necessary.

Members of the public are urged to follow official food safety communications issued by US health authorities and the ministry for the latest information on product investigations and recalls.