Contaminated cochinita pibil blamed for poisoning 30 at Yucatán market

A dish at a market in Yucatán left some customers hospitalized with food poisoning on Sunday after more than 30 people became ill.

The cochinita pibil — a regional shredded-pork specialty — at the municipal market in Seyé, 35 kilometers east of Mérida, has been blamed.

People who suffered stomach pains, diarrhea, vomiting, shivers, a racing heart rate or headaches agreed that they had bought the same dish from the same vendor.

Some people who were severely poisoned were taken to Acanceh hospital, while a large number of people required medical attention in Seyé and police officers were required to maintain order outside a clinic.

The market was closed by local authorities and the case is being investigated by the state health ministry.

Cochinita pibil’s popularity is likely to continue: it topped a list of the world’s 100 best dishes in December, in a ranking compiled by the international food website TasteAtlas.

TasteAtlas said the dish’s name is a clue to how it was traditionally prepared. “Since cochinita means ‘baby pig,’ and pibil means ‘buried’ or ‘underground,’ it acts as a proof that the original recipe used a whole suckling pig that was buried in a pit for roasting,” it said on its website.

The pork specialty is made by marinating meat in a combination of annatto paste, bitter orange juice and garlic. It is shredded and served on tortillas, tacos, or on its own with shallots, pickled onions, salsa and various roasted vegetables.

With reports from Por Esto! and El Universal

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
earthqauke drill

An earthquake drill is set for Wednesday May 6. Here’s what to expect

0
The recurring drills, usually focused on states most likely to suffer damage in the event of a quake, are becoming part of the culture, and preparedness- conscious officials are fine with that.
Cancún's new bridge

President Sheinbaum and Gov. Lezama inaugurate Cancún’s new Nichupté bridge

0
The famed Caribbean coast resort's long-awaited Puente Nichupté connecting the city to the hotel zone is open for use, saving commuters as much as an hour.

Mexico City is sinking faster than ever, new NASA data reveals

0
After centuries of draining the lake water around it and overexploiting its remaining aquifer, Mexico City is sinking from its own weight, with little underneath to hold it up.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity