If your cilantro hails from Mexico, consider throwing it out. Today U.S. health officials have put a ban on important the green after finding human feces and toilet paper in South-of-the-border herb fields—a disgusting discovery that has now been linked to hundreds of illnesses among Americans since 2012.
To prevent future cases of the parasitic illness cyclosporiasis, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detained at the border Mexican cilantro that was harvested since April, but has only declared an official import ban today.
Cyclosporiasis causes diarrhea and explosive bowl movements, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and affected at least 304 people in 19 states last year. More than 64 percent of those cases were reported in Texas in June and July. No deaths have been reported, though the CDC notes that seven people have been hospitalized.
A closer look at farms in Puebla, Mexico revealed that eight out of 11 farms did not provide bathrooms with soap, toilet paper, or running water. Some didn't provide a restroom at all. "The most likely routes of contamination of fresh cilantro are contact with the parasite shed from the intestinal tract of humans affecting the growing fields, harvesting, processing, or packing activities or contamination with the parasite through contaminated irrigation water, contaminated crop protectant sprays, or contaminated wash waters," the FDA alert says.
Before you freak out, we suggest checking the country of origin on your herbs. While many markets and restaurants source their greens from Mexico, many others purchase from California. But if this news totally grosses you out either way, you might wanna toss the bunch altogether.
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