Updated

Updated · WTVD-TV · Jul 11

North Carolina Reports 240 Cyclosporiasis Cases Since May 1 as Probe Targets Raw Produce

Updated

Updated · WTVD-TV · Jul 11

North Carolina Reports 240 Cyclosporiasis Cases Since May 1 as Probe Targets Raw Produce

Q: If washing doesn't kill the parasite, what is the only guaranteed way to make your fresh produce safe this summer?

The only guaranteed way to make fresh produce safe from Cyclospora is to cook it thoroughly to at least 158°F (70°C). Health officials say washing fruits, vegetables, and herbs is still recommended because it can reduce dirt and some contamination, but it does not reliably kill Cyclospora. The parasite is especially difficult to remove from raw produce such as cilantro, parsley, basil, leafy greens, and berries, which are common foods linked to cyclosporiasis outbreaks. That is why heat is the key safeguard. Cooking, baking, or boiling produce to 158°F or higher destroys the parasite. If a food is normally eaten raw, there is no equally reliable at-home method that guarantees safety once it has been contaminated. For people who still plan to eat fresh produce raw, public health advice is to lower risk rather than eliminate it: rinse under running water, scrub firm produce, remove outer leaves from greens, separate and wash herbs individually, wash hands and utensils, and follow outbreak alerts or recalls. But during an active Cyclospora outbreak, only cooking offers a sure kill step.

3 articles · Updated · WTVD-TV · Jul 11

North Carolina has logged at least 240 cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, with state health officials still trying to pinpoint the source.
Cyclospora infections are often tied to fresh produce and herbs eaten raw rather than meat, making patient interviews and food-tracing central to the investigation.
Parsley and cilantro are among the ingredients most often linked to outbreaks, and officials warned that contaminated produce can carry the parasite from field to table.
At least 18 states have reported cases, while North Carolina urged residents to wash fruits and vegetables because identifying a specific contaminated ingredient can take time.