Is your lettuce safe? What H-E-B, Whole Foods say as Cyclospora cases rise in Austin - Austin American-Statesman

What the report says

The Austin American-Statesman reported that Austin-area shoppers are not being advised to avoid lettuce from H-E-B or Whole Foods while health officials investigate an increase in Cyclospora infections in Central Texas. The paper reported July 23 that neither grocery chain received products included in a voluntary recall connected to a separate multistate outbreak, according to company statements and federal recall notices. Austin Public Health also said it has not tied local cases to any single grocery store, restaurant or food item.

According to the Statesman, Austin Public Health had confirmed 33 Cyclospora cases in Austin and Travis County as of July 20, with one reported in February and the remaining 32 identified in July. Texas has recorded 98 laboratory-confirmed cases since the state’s cyclosporiasis season began May 1, compared with 43 during the same period last year and 49 in 2024. Fifteen people have been hospitalized statewide, and no deaths have been reported.

The Statesman reported that state officials have not found laboratory or epidemiological evidence connecting Texas cases to an outbreak involving Taco Bell restaurants in several other states. Federal investigators traced that outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, and the company voluntarily recalled certain products. Some recalled items were distributed in Texas, including certain Marketside lettuce packages sold at select Walmart stores and lettuce supplied to food-service customers.

H-E-B and Whole Foods told the Statesman their stores were not affected by the Taylor Farms recall. Austin Public Health said washing produce can lower risk but may not remove Cyclospora completely; cooking food to 158 degrees is the reliable way to kill the parasite. Health officials advised people with intestinal symptoms who suspect cyclosporiasis to contact a medical provider.