“I think what we’re going to do is put a major tariff on Mexico because of the lettuce, and we’re going to put a big tariff on Canada because of the smoke,” he said, speaking with the press in the Oval Office. “Which will you have, the lettuce or the smoke? I think I’ll take the smoke.”
The illness is also called “explosive diarrhea” because symptoms include loud, watery diarrhea. Other symptoms are fatigue, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, and weight loss.
Evidence Points to Mexico
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said epidemiological evidence and product tracing point to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico from growers in central Mexico. Patients affected by the outbreak reported eating at Taco Bell locations before becoming ill.
Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17. The recall includes certain Marketside iceberg salad and shredded lettuce products sold at Walmart, as well as products distributed to restaurants and other food service customers. The recalled lettuce was distributed in at least 27 states.
The FDA said a border sample initially believed to have tested positive for Cyclospora was later found to be a false positive but added that the result does not change the epidemiological and tracing evidence supporting the recall of the lettuce.
On July 21, Mexico’s Health Minister David Kershenobich said there is no evidence that Mexican lettuce caused the U.S. outbreak.
“So far, no evidence has been found to indicate that it originated there,” Kershenobich said during a press conference, referring to the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, where he said authorities were looking into the issue. “However, we are taking all precautions in case that were the case,” he added.
Reuters contributed to this report.
