Canadian health officials say no need to avoid US produce; cyclosporiasis outbreak hits 1,645 cases across 34 states

Canadian health officials have reassured the public that there is no need to avoid U.S. produce despite a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States, which has resulted in 1,645 confirmed cases across 34 states as of July 13.¹

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) stated that it is not currently investigating any outbreaks linked to imported produce. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency echoed this sentiment, confirming that there are no plans to restrict fresh produce imports from the U.S.³

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at the Toronto General Hospital, emphasized that the risk of contracting cyclospora from food in Canada is low. He noted, "Unless Canadians start to contract the illness, Bogoch does not believe they should stop purchasing or consuming American produce. We don't have any reports of outbreaks of this in Canada, so for us it's business as usual."⁵

The PHAC acknowledged that while there is typically an increase in cyclospora infections in Canada during the spring and summer months, these are often linked to fresh fruit and vegetables imported from other countries.

In 2024, Canada imported $5.5 billion in fresh produce from the U.S., accounting for nearly half of all fresh produce imports, with lettuce and strawberries being the top commodities.

The agency also highlighted that washing produce may not effectively eliminate the cyclospora parasite, making prevention challenging.

Overall, Canadian health officials maintain that the situation remains stable, and consumers can continue to enjoy U.S. produce without concern.

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