HEALTH
Food Safety
Are locally grown fruits and vegetables safe from cyclospora? Experts explain
Melina KhanUSA TODAY
Updated July 16, 2026, 12:37 p.m. ET
While a nationwide surge in cyclosporiasis cases has many concerned about eating certain produce, experts say locally grown fruits and vegetables – like those sold at farmers markets – may be a safer option
Cyclosporiasis, which is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, is usually spread through contaminated food such as produce items or water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The agency has confirmed more than 1,600 cases nationwide as of July 13, and it is working to verify more than 5,000 additional infections
State officials have tallied higher totals so far. In Michigan alone, officials are tracking more than 3,700 infections as of July 15, according to the state’s Health and Human Services department
CDC officials said on July 14 that cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky are likely linked. While they have not yet determined what’s causing the surge, officials in Michigan have indicated that they are looking into whether lettuce is the
As the illness continues to spread, here’s what to know about safe practices around fruits and vegetables, especially when it comes to where they are bought:
Is farmers market produce safe from cyclosporiasis risk?
While not a total guarantee, experts told USA TODAY that produce from farmers markets could be a safer option because they are likelycially since officials have not yet determined the exact
Experts said if the illness is spreading from produce, the food could be getting tainted by a contaminated waterikely to be impacted by Cyclospora
“It’s where it’s grown, not the point of sale,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Center for Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Past cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the United States have stemmed from produce coming from other countries, which may be, in part, because other countries could be using contaminated irrigationcrobiology and immunology at New York Medical College
“A lot of times this has come in from overseas where, in some places, the procedure may be more lax than what we think we have in the United States,” Mordue said. “In this case though, given the size of the outbreak, it’s making me at least wonder whether or not something is happening within the United States.”
In the United States, shifting weather patterns – like more heavy rainstorms – can cause agricultural runoff and sewage overflows, tainting irrigation water used for fresh produce, said Joellen Russell, a climate and integrative science professor at the University of Arizona
What about backyard gardens?
As for those with their own backyard gardens, experts said they are likely safe, again, depending on the irrigation source
“It has to do with the water that you’re using to irrigate it,” Adalja said
Municipal water supplies in the United States are typically not contaminated with human feces, making it unlikely that the issue is stemming from a water
“Typically in your own garden, you know what kind of fertilizer you’re using,” Mordue added
Will washing your produce help? Yes and no
The CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. But some experts say that’s not enough when it comes to cyclosporiasis
“Washing does not get rid of this sticky little invisible parasite, so that’s the problem,” Dr. Rabia de Latour, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone, told USA TODAY
Mordue said rinsing produce is still a good thing, but it’s not enough to prevent infection
“It may get rid of some of the Cyclospora, but it doesn’t get rid of all of it. So there’s still a risk that remains,” Mordue said
Cooking fruits and vegetables is the only foolproof way to kill the parasite, de Latour said. Mordue said freezing also kills the parasite, so frozen fruits and vegetables are also safe
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan
