Pexeks Iceberg Lettuce An investigation by US health authorities has placed shredded iceberg lettuce at the center of an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an infection caused by a parasite that has led to around 100 people being hospitalized in the country. The cases were associated with the consumption of food served at Taco Bell restaurants in five American states. Lettuce is considered the main food under investigation, but authorities are still trying to confirm where the contamination occurred and the exact origin of the product. ?The vegetable that has a more closed head, light leaves and crunchy texture is widely used in salads, sandwiches and preparations in fast-food chains. In the USA, it is widely consumed and is also sold cut and ready to use. This Tuesday (21), Mexico stated that there is no evidence that lettuce produced in the country caused the outbreak. The country began to be mentioned in the investigation after American authorities arrived at a company operating in Mexican territory. How lettuce entered the investigation The case began to be investigated after American authorities identified an increase in cases of cyclosporiasis, an infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which can cause severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms (learn more about the disease). When interviewing patients, investigators found one thing in common: many of the infected people had consumed food at Taco Bell locations in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Study shows growth of female leaders in agriculture From the analysis of the ingredients present in the orders, vegetables appeared as the food associated with the cases. As a result, authorities began tracking the supply chain to try to identify the origin of the product. The tracking carried out by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reached Taylor Farms, a fresh food company that supplies products to restaurants and food chains. According to the American agency, the company was among the suppliers linked to the iceberg lettuce used in the restaurants where the cases were recorded. Mexico denies link to the outbreak The investigation went beyond the borders of the United States and reached Mexico after tracking the lettuce supply chain led American authorities to a Taylor Farms unit in the country, located in Guanajuato, in central Mexico, but the origin of the lettuce remains a mystery. This Tuesday, the 21st, Mexico's Health Minister, David Kershenobich, promptly stated that there is no evidence, so far, that lettuce produced in the country has caused the outbreak. According to him, Mexican authorities are monitoring the investigation and checking the possibility of involvement of producers in the region, but there is still no confirmation on the origin of the contamination. Mexico is one of the main suppliers of fresh fruits and vegetables to the United States. The involvement of a company operating in the country led Mexican authorities to monitor the investigation. Taco Bell recalls lettuce as investigation progresses The chain said it is cooperating with authorities during the investigation and took preventive measures after shredded iceberg lettuce was linked to cases of cyclosporiasis. The company withdrew the ingredient from certain operations while tracking the supply chain progressed and sought to identify the source of possible contamination. *With Reuters and AP