New York health officials are advising residents not to eat fresh basil imported from Siga Logistics in Mexico because of a possible link to food-borne illness in the Albany area and in other states.
The state advisory Friday follows a nationwide Food and Drug Administration advisory urging consumers, retailers and restaurants not to eat, sell or serve basil from the company until further notice.
Federal investigators determined that contaminated basil from Siga Logistics is the likely cause of a multistate outbreak of cyclospora illness. The gastrointestinal illness is caused by a microscopic parasite.
New York officials say there have been 69 confirmed cases of cyclospora illness in patrons who ate at several restaurants or attended events in the Albany area.
