Is it safe to eat lettuce yet? What to know as cyclosporiasis outbreak lingers

Live updates

1. 14d ago

   Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Spreads to Three Additional States

   A parasite linked to lettuce has been confirmed in three new states as a cyclosporiasis outbreak continues. While the CDC is tracking case data, the impact has reached the supply chain, leading farmers to destroy millions of heads of lettuce because consumers are avoiding the product. Despite these concerns, Consumer Reports suggests that shoppers should not skip their salads. This situation occurs amid a broader summer surge of food recalls involving listeria and salmonella.

   Why it matters

   Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through contaminated produce. These outbreaks disrupt agricultural markets and challenge public trust in food safety protocols.

   What is confirmed

   • A lettuce-linked parasite has been confirmed in three new states.
   • Farmers have destroyed millions of heads of lettuce due to shopper wariness.
   • The CDC is maintaining case data for the cyclosporiasis outbreak.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Food safety experts suggest there are more recalls than ever this summer.

   What to watch next

   • Updated CDC case maps showing the full geographic spread of the parasite.
   • Identification of the specific farms or regions responsible for the contaminated lettuce.
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov) — Cyclospora Case Data
   2. USA Today — Lettuce-linked parasite confirmed in 3 new states. See outbreak map
   3. The New York Times — With Shoppers Wary of Illness, Farmers Destroy Millions of Heads of Lettuce
   4. CNN — Is it safe to eat lettuce yet? What to know as cyclosporiasis outbreak lingers
   5. WISN — Consumer Reports: Don't skip the salad
   6. www.wmur.com — Why does it feel like there’s a new food recall every day?
   confidence 90%