NC farmers see increased produce sales as cyclosporiasis outbreak continues - WRAL

What the report says

WRAL reported that some shoppers in North Carolina are shifting toward locally grown produce at the State Farmers Market while health officials continue investigating a cyclosporiasis outbreak and try to identify its source. The report, published and updated July 19, said customers at the market described unease about conflicting information on the foodborne illness and said they felt more comfortable buying fruits and vegetables from local farms than from larger retail chains.

Citing the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, WRAL said the state had 307 reported cases of cyclosporiasis, including 270 in Wake County. The illness is caused by Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can cause significant gastrointestinal symptoms. Health officials have said tracing the origin of such outbreaks can be difficult.

The report also noted federal developments involving Taylor Fresh Foods, which said it was removing all iceberg lettuce from the U.S. market. According to WRAL, the CDC said shredded lettuce had been sent to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, and warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at those restaurants in those states.

At the State Farmers Market, farmer Stephanie Moore of Moore’s Produce in Meadows told WRAL that sales of greens, lettuce and kale had increased, and said she had no concern about the parasite affecting her farm’s produce. WRAL added that local produce often involves less handling, packaging and travel time, which can reduce contamination risks, while the CDC advises people not to eat recalled produce and to discard it.