Parsley and Cilantro Identified as Potential Sources of Cyclospora Outbreak in North Carolina - Consumer Reports

What the report says

Consumer Reports reported that North Carolina health officials are examining parsley and cilantro as possible contributors to a summer increase in cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite. At a July 21 press conference, officials said the herbs have appeared repeatedly in interviews with infected residents, along with lettuce. The state has recorded 561 cases since May 1, which Consumer Reports noted is nearly twice its total for all of 2025.

Carl Williams of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cautioned that the findings remain preliminary and that investigators have not confirmed a definitive source. Officials said the North Carolina increase does not appear to match a separate cluster tied by federal health authorities to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

The report also said the FDA announced on July 22 that it is investigating another cyclosporiasis outbreak involving at least 72 illnesses linked to an unidentified product. The agency has opened six cyclospora outbreak investigations this summer; only the iceberg lettuce outbreak has a named source. It remains unclear whether the North Carolina cases are connected to any FDA investigations involving unidentified sources.

North Carolina officials said they have sent several hundred patient stool samples to the CDC for genetic analysis, which has so far found some related clusters within the state. For residents using lettuce, parsley or cilantro associated with the North Carolina rise, DHHS advised considering removal or full cooking. Consumer Reports’ food safety expert James E. Rogers said heating to 158 degrees Fahrenheit kills the parasite, while washing produce may reduce—but not necessarily eliminate—risk.