Michigan has dropped its advisory against purchasing bagged salad mixes as the number of cyclosporiasis cases, a foodborne illness often linked to contaminated produce, appears to be stabilizing. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services made the decision to lift the warning this week, suggesting that the peak of the outbreak may have passed.
Cyclosporiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which can contaminate fresh produce through contact with infected human feces. While the number of cases has slowed, experts emphasize that vigilance remains necessary.
"The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been doing a great job throughout this workup, and they’re just trying to give people the most up-to-date information," said Dr. Rebecca Schein, an assistant professor at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. "So, what they said is that you don’t need to avoid lettuce anymore, but they didn’t change the recommendations on continuing to wash the lettuce."
Officials noted that the recommendation to avoid lettuce was based on the plateauing rate of new infections. However, Dr. Schein cautioned that the intensity of the outbreak might mean some cases were treated symptomatically without formal testing, potentially masking the true number of current infections. This suggests that while the immediate risk may have diminished, the parasite could still be present.
"The lifting of the advisory is good news, but it doesn’t mean all risk has disappeared," stated Dr. Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois Chicago. "It means public health officials believe the immediate risk to the general public has fallen substantially because the suspected contaminated products have been recalled, removed from distribution and new illnesses appear to be declining."
Consumers who still possess recalled Taylor Farms lettuce are advised to discard it or return it to the store. However, a general avoidance of all lettuce is no longer considered necessary. The guidance remains to wash all produce thoroughly, even items labeled as pre-washed.
"Washing produce is always recommended to reduce dirt and some microbes, although it’s important to note that washing alone is not considered reliably effective at removing cyclospora once produce is contaminated," Dr. Wallace explained. "That’s why recalls are so important."
Beyond the specific lettuce products linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, health officials also had concerns about leafy greens and fresh herbs. However, the updated guidance suggests these items can be consumed, provided they are washed.
"Consumers are better served by following official recall notices than by avoiding an entire food category," Dr. Wallace emphasized. "There wasn’t ever a recommendation to avoid all produce."
While cyclosporiasis cases may be declining, other foodborne illness outbreaks continue. A salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños and an E. coli outbreak associated with frozen blueberries are also being monitored. Public health recommendations include consistent handwashing before and after food preparation, and maintaining sanitary food preparation surfaces. Thorough cleaning of countertops with antiseptic agents is advised, especially after contact with raw meat or eggs.
"And then all fruits and vegetables, no matter where you get them from, should always be washed," Dr. Schein reiterated. Produce with nooks and crannies, such as leafy greens and berries, may require multiple washes. Cooking produce is identified as the only definitive method for killing the cyclospora parasite.