So there’s a lovely little thing called cyclospora making the rounds in 31 states… and by “lovely,” I mean it can park you in the bathroom for weeks. We’re talking the kind of situation you do not brag about.
Health folks say it’s mostly hitching a ride on certain fresh foods. So for now, maybe pump the brakes on bagged salads, pre-cut greens, and those “I’m being healthy” herb moments with basil and cilantro. Also on the naughty list: raspberries, blackberries, snow peas, and green onions.
The good news? Heat is your friend. Cooked foods—stir-fries, soups, anything hot—are totally fine. Thick-peel fruits like bananas, oranges, and avocados are safe too, since you ditch the outside. Canned stuff gets a gold star, and frozen produce is fine if it’s been cooked first.
So basically… if it’s fresh, leafy, and ready-to-eat, maybe side-eye it for a bit. If it’s hot, sealed, or peel-and-toss? You’re good. Your stomach will thank you.
The CDC says these are the foods to skip for now, and foods that are safe.
Foods To Avoid:
- Bagged salad mixes and pre-cut leafy greens
- Fresh herbs like basil and cilantro
- Raspberries and blackberries
- Snow peas and green onions
Foods That Are Safe:
- Cooked Foods: Any hot meals, stir-fries, stews, and baked goods are generally perfectly fine to eat, as heat destroys the parasite.
- Thick-peeled Fruits: Fruits where you discard the rind are the safest raw choices. These include bananas, oranges, grapefruits, mangos, pineapples, and avocados.
- Canned Foods: Because of the thermal processing, canned vegetables and fruits are safe.
- Frozen Produce: If you like berries for smoothies, you can cook them down first (e.g., into jams or sauces), then freeze them, or rely on commercial frozen produce
Photo by Eiliv Aceron on Unsplash