Report: Most produce from Mexico comes from processing facilities 'rarely inspected' by FDA

SALT LAKE CITY — The Food and Drug Administration "rarely inspects" food processing facilities in countries other than the United States, facilities which account for most of the fresh produce sent to the United States, the Washington Post reported.

As an example, the newspaper pointed to Mexico, a top exporter of produce to America, and found that only around 2% of facilities in the country were inspected by the FDA in the last 17 years.

"Contamination can occur when this produce is being produced at any point in the production cycle," said Dr. Loni Taylor with Texas A&M University, who stressed the importance of washing fruit and vegetables before they are eaten.

This year, an outbreak of the gut infection cyclosporiasis sickened nearly 13,000 people in the United States. It was tied to Taylor Farms de Mexico, and included iceberg lettuce and jalapeño peppers.

An FDA official told the Washington Post that "the number of inspections doesn't exactly tell the whole story," and the agency has other measures in place to check produce.

To prevent food poisoning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests washing hands and food surfaces often, separating foods to avoid cross-contamination, cooking food to the correct temperature, and refrigerating food promptly.