Importing lettuce from south of the border. What could possibly go wrong?

Cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, have topped 18,000 in 45 states, according to updated data Wednesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Since May 1, at least 6,707 cases have been laboratory-confirmed, including 423 hospitalizations, the CDC noted.

Additionally, the agency said it is “aware” of more than 11,500 additional cases that are not laboratory confirmed or require further investigation and analysis. Many of these additional cases have been reported by Michigan and Ohio, which have linked the bulk of their cases to now recalled iceberg lettuce.

Thought the infection usually spikes during the summer months, it is mostly a handful of patients that get it. Not this time. Recommended course of action: buy lettuce locally or from stores that do not get their produce from Mexico, especially Taylor Farms that supplies lettuce to Taco Bell.

This also calls into question why Taylor Farms protocols aren’t stricter due to the vast amount of states they deliver to.