Quebec lettuce growers lose money as cyclosporiasis outbreak slashes demand

Quebec lettuce producers are facing financial losses after a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States, linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico, caused American consumers to avoid lettuce. Approximately half of the province's lettuce harvest is normally exported to the U.S., but sales have stalled, leaving a surplus that some retailers have removed from shelves.

Catherine Lessard, deputy manager of the Quebec Produce Growers’ Association, said growers are selling below production cost and fear some fields may go unharvested. More than 11,000 people in 15 U.S. states have fallen ill and two deaths have been linked to the outbreak. Canadian officials stress that no cyclospora cases are being investigated domestically and that Canadian-grown produce remains safe, according to biochemistry professor Nathalie Grandvaux.