Yes, you can eat lettuce again — as long as you have tossed the recalled lettuce related to the major cyclospora outbreak.
The advice is not a blanket warning to avoid salad bars, sandwiches or grocery-store greens. Instead, officials say consumers should steer clear of recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico and use normal food-safety precautions with fresh produce.
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The outbreak has sickened thousands of people in multiple states and has been linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the outbreak connected to the recalled lettuce had grown to 9,481 illnesses in 17 states, including 398 hospitalizations and two deaths. The Food and Drug Administration said its investigation is continuing.
For shoppers, the most important detail is whether any recalled lettuce is still in the refrigerator. The recalled products had best-by dates from July 18 to Aug. 3, so officials say they should no longer be on store shelves or served in restaurants. But if a package is still at home and matches the recall, throw it away.
As Straight Arrow previously reported, Taylor Farms de Mexico said back in July it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. The recall included Marketside-brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce sold at select Walmart stores, along with products distributed to food-service customers. Taco Bell has said it stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico the same day.
What is cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that often brings watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure but can appear from two to 14 days later. The illness is not usually spread directly from person to person.
Rinsing lettuce under running water can help, but officials warn that washing alone may not remove cyclospora. The CDC says cooking produce to at least 158 degrees can kill the parasite. Consumers should wash their hands, utensils and surfaces, and clean and sanitize anything that touched recalled lettuce.
Michigan, the state hit hardest by the outbreak, said Aug. 6 that residents could return to routine guidance for eating lettuce and salad greens as new case reports and related emergency department visits declined. State health officials said a broader precautionary recommendation to avoid bagged salad mixes was no longer in effect, though recalled lettuce should still be avoided.
That does not mean every question has been answered. Federal officials are still investigating other cyclospora illnesses that may not be connected to the Taylor Farms de Mexico outbreak. For most consumers, the takeaway is simple: Lettuce that is not part of the recall can be eaten if it is handled safely. Anyone who wants to be extra cautious can choose whole heads of lettuce, rinse leaves carefully under running water or eat cooked vegetables while investigations continue.
People who develop prolonged or recurring watery diarrhea should contact a health care provider and mention possible cyclospora exposure, especially if they ate shredded or iceberg lettuce in the two weeks before becoming ill. Routine stool tests do not always screen for cyclospora, so specific testing may be needed.
The bottom line: Do not eat recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce. If there is any doubt about a bagged salad or shredded lettuce product, check the recall information before eating it. Lettuce not linked to the recall is not under a broad warning, but officials say basic food-safety steps still matter.
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