The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has officially affirmed that UAE markets are free of lettuce products linked to the ongoing Cyclosporiasis outbreak. The ministry is maintaining regular coordination with health and regulatory authorities to rigorously monitor and inspect all incoming food shipments to ensure public safety.
In a statement issued on the X platform, MOCCAE confirmed it is actively tracking international health alerts and following up on investigations into potential sources of contamination in fresh produce, with a specific focus on lettuce imported from central Mexico. The ministry is working closely with regulatory bodies to uphold food safety standards and implement preventative measures across the national supply chain.
MOCCAE has urged the public to maintain healthy practices, including washing all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption and purchasing produce exclusively from approved outlets to support the food safety system. These measures are intended to bolster public health and mitigate risks associated with foodborne illnesses.
Fresh lettuce was recently linked to a widespread outbreak of cyclosporiasis across several US states, caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. This parasite typically contaminates agricultural products through irrigation or washing water. It is not transmitted directly between people but spreads through contaminated food or water, affecting the small intestine and causing symptoms such as severe watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss, which often manifest one week after ingestion.
The US state of Michigan recently recorded two deaths linked to the infection. Testing by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) connected the outbreak, which has impacted nine states, to lettuce imported from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, though authorities continue to investigate other potential sources of contamination.