Overview

• The IPN’s National School of Biological Sciences sampled salsas from informal taco stands within 50 meters of all 181 Metro CDMX stations and found coliform bacteria in 22% of tests and E. coli in 5%.
• E. coli contamination was confirmed at nine stations, including Boulevard Puerto Aéreo, Coyoacán and Tepito, raising foodborne illness concerns among commuters.
• Analyses identified Enterobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia and Klebsiella species at 39 points, indicating widespread sanitary lapses among informal vendors.
• In response, Mexico City’s health agencies have expanded sanitary inspections; launched enhanced laboratory testing protocols; and trained over 23,000 food handlers, suspending 26 vendors so far this year.
• Officials have warned against using sauces at informal Metro stands to curb the risk of E. coli and salmonella infections that can cause severe diarrhea, kidney damage and typhoid fever.