How to Stay Safe and Informed About the Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
You’ve most likely heard about the recent foodborne illness outbreak, or more notably, the diarrhea-causing Cyclosporiasis outbreak. While there are no known outbreaks in the Bay Area, the CDC reports over 15,700 confirmed cases of Cyclosporiasis across 34 states since May 1, 2026. This is certainly underreported. There are over 11,800 additional reported cases that have not yet been confirmed across the nation. Many shoppers, especially families, are understandably concerned about catching the illness and figuring out what to avoid. Here is what we know about the outbreak and how to keep you and your loved ones safe. What is Cyclospora? Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that causes an intestinal illness called Cyclosporiasis. In fact, it is so small that you can only see it through a microscope, but it can cause watery diarrhea, explosive bowel movements, cramping, nausea, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms. These symptoms can appear as soon as two days or as long as two weeks after you consume food or water with the parasite. Without treatment, these symptoms can last for a few days or even months. How does this illness spread? Cyclospora spreads through the consumption of food or water containing poop, not through person-to-person contact. If you believe you or your child has this illness, schedule an appointment with the doctor as soon as you can. Most people with healthy immune systems will be able to recover. It is important to get adequate rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take any medications as prescribed. What is Causing This Outbreak? As the number of cases rises, the FDA is urgently investigating the cause of this multistate foodborne outbreak. They have identified iceberg lettuce as the culprit, and several Taco Bell locations have been confirmed as a source. So, who is supplying their iceberg lettuce? On Sunday, July 19, the FDA found no culture-confirmed positive evidence for contaminated samples coming from Taylor Farms de Mexico. This is still true as of Thursday, August 20, but this does not mean they are in the clear. Strong associations still implicate them as the source of the outbreak. The investigation for the source continues, but the takeaway is: take extra precautions when handling and preparing fruits, vegetables, and food in general. What to Avoid and How to Stay Safe Practicing good hygiene and food safety is important! Here are some tips to prevent contracting and the spread of Cyclosporiasis. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before handling food. Read more about proper handwashing technique here. Thoroughly wash all raw fruits and vegetables under running water before preparing or eating them. This still applies to already pre-washed fruits and vegetables! Use a clean produce brush to properly scrub fruits and vegetables with a firm surface, such as melons or squashes. Look out for any bruising or damaged areas on your produce, and cut them off. Be sure to cook your produce to a temperature of 158°F (70°C). Washing alone cannot guarantee the elimination of the parasite. Finally, properly store in the refrigerator all prepared fruits, vegetables, and food within 2 hours of preparation or cooking. Be sure to avoid all recalled produce and food. Start by checking your fridge and tossing out any fresh produce from Taylor Farms. While they have already issued a recall, this supplier has also sent their produce to Taco Bell and Sysco. Here are fresh produce items that have been linked to past Cyclosporiasis outbreaks that may be helpful to avoid: Basil Cilantro Mesclun lettuce Raspberries Snow peas In addition to the safe food practices above, health officials also recommend buying whole heads of lettuce, removing two to three outer layers, and washing each leaf of lettuce individually. Eat Your Fruits and Veggies! It is easy to get caught up in the news that overemphasizes the risks, especially when the topic is in our everyday conversations or on our phone screens. While the health risks of inadequately prepared and cooked food are real, they should also remind us to be careful with our food sources and preparation. This overemphasization of risks can be seen in the rise of vaccine hesitancy, to the point that concerned adults ignore the decades of immunization benefits. This is also known as recency bias. The bottom line is… we all still need to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as unprocessed, preservative-free protein sources, to stay healthy and grow. Examples of unprocessed, preservative-free protein sources include lentils, whole eggs, tofu, grass-fed beef, and wild-caught seafood that is relatively mercury-free. Ultimately, you can still eat healthily and avoid Cyclosporiasis by following our tips on how to handle and prepare food safely. 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