Salad Safety Scare: What You Should Know About the Cyclospora Outbreak

A tiny parasite called Cyclospora has been making people very sick across the United States, including in Massachusetts. The illness it causes is called cyclosporiasis, and it leads to severe, long-lasting diarrhea that experts describe as 'miserable.' More than 104 cases were reported in Massachusetts in July alone, and two people in Michigan have died from the illness. Health experts are now answering a big question many shoppers have: Is it safe to eat salad right now?

Federal health officials have linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico. A produce company called Taylor Farms recalled all of its lettuce from central Mexico after being identified as a likely source. However, investigators have not yet fully confirmed that Taylor Farms is the only problem. Other farms and other types of produce could also be involved, so simply avoiding one brand may not be enough to stay safe.

The food supply chain — the path food takes from a farm to your plate — is very complex. Along the way, produce is packed, washed, and sometimes repacked at many different locations. Food safety expert David Lennarz said most people don't realize how many steps are involved before food reaches the store shelf. Because of this, it can be very hard to track exactly where a problem started.

Investigators are making progress, but it is still unclear how long it will take to find the exact source. Lennarz said the hopeful view is that it could be figured out in 'weeks, not months.' Once the source is found, the facility would likely need to shut down until the problem is fixed. Dr. Zoe Weiss of Tufts Medical Center added that it may be hard to tell right away if a recall is working, since symptoms can show up two weeks after infection.

Some experts, like Boston dietitian Kate Scarlata, say raw lettuce is off the table for now. She recommends cooking your vegetables instead of eating them raw until the outbreak is better under control. 'There should be some thoughtfulness to shopping — not fear, but thoughtfulness,' she said. She also warned that fear shouldn't push people into unhealthy habits, like giving up vegetables and eating chips or french fries instead.

Dr. Weiss said it isn't practical for people to stop eating produce altogether. Instead, she encouraged shoppers to stay informed by checking for recalled products and avoiding anything without a clearly identified source. Washing and rinsing produce won't completely remove Cyclospora parasites, but it can help lower the amount on the food. Staying updated on public health advisories is one of the best things people can do right now.

Experts also warned shoppers to be extra careful with bagged spring mixes or assorted leafy greens. These bags often contain lettuce from several different farms, which makes it harder to know if any of it is contaminated. Locally grown produce, like vegetables from a farmers market, is likely safer because it comes from a shorter supply chain. Still, experts say no produce is completely risk-free, so it's always smart to take precautions.

The key message from health experts is to be thoughtful, not terrified. There are plenty of safe and healthy food choices that don't involve bagged iceberg lettuce. Scarlata suggested options like frozen berry smoothies with Greek yogurt as a way to still get fiber and nutrients. The goal is to make smart choices while investigators work to contain the outbreak — not to give up on healthy eating altogether.