Rowan County Schools Pull Lettuce, Tomatoes as 9-State Cyclospora Outbreak Spreads
Updated
Updated · WKYT · Jul 24
Rowan County Schools Pull Lettuce, Tomatoes as 9-State Cyclospora Outbreak Spreads
3 articles · Updated · WKYT · Jul 24
Summary
Rowan County school officials removed lettuce and tomatoes from menus before classes start, citing a Cyclospora outbreak that has reached nine states, including Kentucky.
The FDA linked the outbreak to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico; the parasite can cause weeks of vomiting and diarrhea.
Jessica Kiser said Rowan County hopes to secure replacement fresh produce by the first week of school and is tightening precautions for younger students.
Montgomery County, which feeds 4,500 students, said it does not use the implicated Mexican lettuce and is keeping menus in place while monitoring CDC and FDA guidance.
The outbreak is pushing school nutrition departments to recheck sourcing plans, with some districts also looking to local farmers for fall produce supplies.