Experts advise precautions on produce amid cyclosporiasis outbreak
Health specialists recommend avoiding pre-cut lettuce, fresh herbs and rough-skinned berries while emphasizing that most fruits and vegetables remain safe when properly washed or cooked.
The ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, now reported in 47 states with nearly 11,000 cases, has prompted health experts to modify their recommendations on fresh produce. While the parasite has been linked primarily to contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce, parsley and cilantro, officials say consumers can reduce risk by choosing whole produce and handling it carefully.
"I'm avoiding bagged lettuce and salads," said Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann, noting that pre-cut mixes are more vulnerable to contamination.
Most experts continue to eat salads but prefer whole heads of lettuce that they wash themselves, discarding outer leaves and rinsing under running water. Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, expressed distrust of grocery-store fresh-cut items, while Michael Pentella of the University of Iowa said he still eats lettuce several times a week, avoiding iceberg varieties.
Fresh herbs such as parsley and cilantro are also being avoided temporarily. Dr. Yancey advised using dried herbs or cooking fresh herbs to 158 °F, a temperature that kills the Cyclospora parasite. Microbiologist Kalmia Kniel suggested sourcing herbs from farmers’ markets or growing them at home.
Berries with textured skins, including raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, are receiving extra caution despite no recent outbreaks linked to them. Dr. Hector Cabrera of LCMC Health Urgent Care warned that “things that have nooks and crannies are going to be harder to completely clean and have a higher level of risk.”
Experts highlighted that many fruits and vegetables remain low risk when washed thoroughly, especially smooth-skinned items like apples, grapes, cucumbers and tomatoes. Using a dedicated brush for produce such as melons and broccoli is recommended. Frozen fruits and vegetables are considered safe, as no frozen items have been associated with cyclosporiasis.
"The risk of foodborne illness is always there, but giving up fresh produce is not the answer," Kowalcyk said, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet.
Overall, the specialists urged the public to adopt simple, temporary precautions rather than avoid produce altogether, noting that the individual risk of infection remains very low compared with the broader population.