- Over 300 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in North Carolina, with Wake County having the highest number of infections, according to state health officials.
- Farmers at the Durham Farmers Market emphasize food safety as a top priority, with practices in place to prevent contamination from field to market, including sanitation training for workers and easy access to hand-washing facilities.
- Despite the outbreak, vendors at local farmers markets assure consumers that locally grown produce is safe to eat, with many emphasizing the freshness and transparency of their products, while also stressing the importance of proper food handling at home.
More than 300 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported across North Carolina, with Wake County recording the highest number of infections, according to state health officials
As concerns about the outbreak grow, farmers at the Durham Farmers Market say food safety has long been a priority on their farms
“Food safety is our main concern,” said Martha Mobley, owner of Meadow Lane Farm in Louisburg
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Mobley, who has sold produce at the Durham Farmers Market for 20 years, said her farm follows strict practices designed to prevent contamination from the field to the market. Workers receive sanitation training and have easy access to hand-washing facilities
“Our workers and myself, all of us are trained on hand sanitation,” Mobley said. “We have restrooms close by the fields. They can go wash their hands.”
State health officials say 13 people in North Carolina have been hospitalized during the outbreak. Most reported cases have been linked to parsley, cilantro and lettuce
Despite the increase in reported illnesses, vendors said customer traffic at local farmers markets has remained steady
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Bernard Obie, a farmer from Roxboro, said consumers should continue to feel confident buying locally grown produce
“Local is best. It is fresher,” Obie said
Much of the produce sold at his stand is harvested the day before it reaches customers, he said
“It still looks strong and wholesome,” Obie said. “Nothing has been put on it to disguise what it is. They can eat it with confidence. They can feed it to their families, too.”
Vendors also stressed the importance of proper food handling at home
“Wash your produce,” said Stephanie Markunas of Lyons Farm. “It’s the standard practice here.”
Health officials continue to urge consumers to thoroughly wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them, regardless of where they were purchased
MORE:Iceberg lettuce recalled in 27 states due to potential cyclospora contamination
