Cyclospora Diarrhea Outbreak: The Foods to Avoid and the Safe Foods

The Ongoing Cyclospora Outbreak: A Threat to Fresh Produce Consumption

The cyclospora diarrhea outbreak has been a major concern for health officials and consumers alike. The parasite, cyclospora, can infect people when it is attached to fresh produce and then consumed. The most common symptom of the disease is watery diarrhea, which can be frequent and sometimes explosive. Michigan health officials have suspected lettuce or bagged salad to be the culprit for the parasite-driven outbreak in the state, which has sickened more than 4,300 people. However, they have been searching for the specific products to blame.

The current outbreak is a major cramp on plans for many people, including the author, who loves salad kits. The topline message from experts is that people should not stop eating their fruits and vegetables, but be smart with their food hygiene. Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, stated that the benefits of eating green vegetables still outweigh the risks. However, he emphasized the importance of being cautious and washing produce thoroughly.

Red Light Foods: Those to Avoid for Now

While we don't know for certain the cause of the current outbreak, cyclosporiasis has been linked with specific foods in the past. Let's start with that list: basil, bagged salads and salad mixes, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, parsley, raspberries, snow peas, and sweet peas. These foods either because of where they're grown or their texture or both have historically had a higher risk of carrying cyclospora. It might be wise to steer clear entirely for the time being, especially the prepackaged salad products.

Yellow Light Foods: Those That Need Careful Cleaning

For a lot of fruits and vegetables, including whole lettuce, you should still wash them thoroughly because that's always a good idea. If you need tips for washing your produce, we've got them. For heads of lettuce, for example, cut away the outer layers and wash in between each leaf as best you can. Rosemary Trout, a food scientist at Drexel University, gave a yellow light for any leafy greens or fruits and veggies that have textured edible skins. The more texture there is, the more of a risk there is because the parasite can stay attached more easily, even if it's been diligently washed.

Green Light Foods: Those That Are Safe to Eat

Trout gave a green light to any canned fruits and vegetables, any produce that you cook at home, and any frozen fruits and veggies. In general, these are Trout's safety tips for prepping fruits and vegetables at this uncertain time: be consistent and thorough when washing your hands and always use hot, soapy water, peel or remove the outside layer of the fruit or veggies, don't consume damaged, bruised produce, keep produce cold in storage, and get creative with your recipes.

Conclusion

The cyclospora outbreak has raised concerns about the safety of fresh produce, but experts advise against stopping consumption of fruits and vegetables. Instead, people should be smart with their food hygiene and avoid certain foods that have been linked to prior outbreaks. By being cautious and washing produce thoroughly, people can enjoy their summer produce while minimizing the risk of infection.