Is Lettuce Safe to Eat? The Latest on the Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
So, is it safe to eat lettuce?
The FDA has urged consumers, restaurants, and retailers to discard and not consume all recalled iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods. The recalled lettuce was distributed from June 29 to July 16 in 27 states.
The FDA also says to avoid eating “recalled lettuce at any Taco Bell location” or other restaurants. “If you don’t know the source of the iceberg lettuce, ask the restaurant,” the agency advises.
To help reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wash all fruits and vegetables under running water, including produce labeled as pre-washed. Firm fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers and melons, should be scrubbed with a produce brush, the agency says.
Cooking vegetables and fruits to an internal temperature of at least 158°F can kill Cyclospora. But some food-safety experts say it is probably OK to eat that Caesar salad or burger with shredded greens. Schaffner, the Rutgers expert, says he hasn’t changed his own eating habits and continues to eat salads daily.
