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An outbreak of a food-borne parasite in the U.S. has now affected over 7,000 individuals. Here are the foods to avoid. A massive surge in cyclosporiasis has spread to 34 states, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigating approximately 1,645 confirmed and over 5,100 suspected cases. The illness, caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora, is known for causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms like explosive diarrhea, stomach cramps, and extreme fatigue that can last for weeks if left untreated. While investigators have yet to link the nationwide spike to a single food source, some regional clusters—including an outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce in the Midwest—suggest fresh produce remains the primary vehicle for transmission. Officials emphasize that the parasite is typically spread when food or water is contaminated by human feces, often via surface water used for irrigation. Although health experts are not advising Americans to stop eating fruits and vegetables, they are urging consumers to practice extreme caution with high-risk items. Foods that are eaten raw or have textured surfaces—such as prewashed bagged salads, leafy greens, fresh herbs like cilantro and basil, snow peas, berries, and precut fruits—are particularly vulnerable to harboring the parasite. Because Cyclospora is highly resistant to standard washing and chemical sanitizers like chlorine, rinsing alone is rarely enough to remove it. To reduce the risk of infection, experts recommend thoroughly scrubbing produce, peeling fruits at home, or cooking vegetables, which is the most effective way to destroy the parasite. source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Domestically Acquired Cyclosporiasis Cases in Multiple U.S. States.

FOX: Taylor Farms is voluntarily pulling all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market amid the cyclosporiasis outbreak.