Be sure to wash your fresh produce before you eat it!
That’s good advice for any time of the year, but it’s particularly important this summer, as food-borne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis continue to climb in America. An intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, cyclosporiasis’ recent spread has been connected to fresh produce imported from Latin America, including salad greens, raspberries, and herbs like basil and cilantro. According to state officials in California, washing all produce will significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Cyclosporiasis outbreaks are typically confined to the summertime. Case counts usually to rise between May and August, and experts expect those numbers to dwindle as the season comes to a close. For locals who’re worried about the infection — whose symptoms include cramping, bloating, severe diarrhea, and dehydration — there’s still some good news. Cases might be surging in states like Michigan, but the California Department of Public Health says that California is not experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis diagnoses. In fact, the state has actually experienced fewer cases of cyclosporiasis in 2026 than it did last year
At Fruit Growers Supply, we support not only the agricultural workers who help grow our nation’s food, but also the consumers who eat it. Remember to wash your vegetables thoroughly. Leafy greens should be separated and washed one leaf at a time. Leafy green vegetables can even be washed with ½ cup white vinegar to 2 cups of water and rinsed, although this combination may affect the leaves’ taste. Root vegetables should be scrubbed under running water — or, even better, peeled — and all vegetables can be patted dry after washing, to further remove bacteria.