If you've been avoiding lettuce due to the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, a safe, summer salad may be possible with some brands. Here's what to know.
What lettuce should I avoid, and what has been recalled?
Avoid eating recalled lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, which includes Marketside-brand products sold at Walmart, as it may be contaminated with cyclospora.
Recalled products were distributed in several states, including Texas, starting June 29 through July 16. A full list of the affected products being recalled can be found on the Food and Drug Administration's website.
The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked the contaminated lettuce as the source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak spanning nine states primarily in the Midwest. The outbreak in Texas is currently considered to be different, meaning its source may be different.
What lettuce is safe to eat right now?
Several companies growing or distributing lettuce said their products are safe to eat, including Little Leaf Farms and Gotham Greens.
Their products are grown in controlled greenhouse environments protected from outdoor conditions that can affect produce, according to their respective statements.
Gotham Greens's products can be found at Kroger and Sprouts Farmers Market, while Walmart and Target carry products from Little Leaf Farms.
While some H-E-B salads include lettuce from Taylor Farms facilities, the company said in a July 23 social media post they had not received any iceberg lettuce products included in the current recall.
What about unpackaged lettuce and veggies?
The CDC recommends following safe food handling practices and avoiding recalled foods.
If you purchase lettuce, health experts say to buy a whole head, peel off the exterior layers and wash it thoroughly. Previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to basil, cilantro, lettuce, raspberries and snow peas, according to the FDA.
While the CDC encourages washing foods, it will not necessarily remove the parasite. However, cooking foods to at least 158 degrees can kill the parasite.