Food Safety Alert: One Cyclosporiasis Source Identified

The source of the potentially severe gastrointestinal illness strain that has spread rapidly in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia has been identified. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has confirmed more than 1,644 cyclosporiasis cases from the parasite Cyclospora in those states, said the FDA traced the issue to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in that region. A single supplier of that lettuce has been linked to those cases, and shredded iceberg lettuce sold in grocery stores or served in other restaurants has not been named. part of the problem. According to the Associated Press, which quoted a federal official not authorized to speak on the matter, the supplier was identified as Taylor Farms of Salinas, Calif.

Event professionals who don't rely on Taco Bell in those Midwestern states for F&B can breathe easier, but the CDC has specified that the alert concerns lab-confirmed cases in the region, and does not apply to all of the many cyclosporiasis cases that have been reported in more than 30 states across the country. Experts caution there might be other sources.

The CDC has reported 94 hospitalizations in the five states named above. Note that the total number of infections is likely much higher than what the CDC has confirmed. Michigan alone has 5,002 reported cases as of July 16, with 102 hospitalizations, according to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. No deaths have been reported from the ailment.

Symptoms include sudden and ongoing severe diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss, and can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after being infected. According to Michigan state officials, cyclosporiasis is best treated with antibiotics coupled with rest and drinking lots of fluids to maintain hydration.

Cyclosporiasis typically grows in frequency over the summer months, but the five states affected by the Taco Bell shredded-lettuce supplier have reported massive year-over-year increases and the overall nationwide numbers are higher than average.

Precautions for food preparation

As cases have grown particularly quickly in Southeast Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued precautions for restaurants, commercial kitchens and basically anyone who is serving raw produce in the region. While the primary source of this outbreak has been identified, the following should be kept in mind as case numbers remain high.

Cooking produce is the only surefire way to kill the parasite.

• Lettuce and leafy greens: Purchase whole heads of lettuce rather than prewashed, bagged greens. Remove the outer two to three leaves and wash the remaining leaves under running water. Cook leafy greens when possible.
• Cilantro and basil: Separate the leaves and wash thoroughly under running water. Cooking is the safest option.
• Green onions: Trim the root end, remove the outer layer and wash thoroughly under running water. Cooking is the safest option.
• Raspberries: Their surface is difficult to clean. Consider using cooked raspberries or frozen raspberries. Freezing might reduce but does not entirely eliminate the parasite.
• Snow peas: Wash thoroughly under running water while rubbing the surface. Cooking is the safest option.