Vendors say produce sales aren’t stopping despite cyclosporiasis outbreak

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The source of the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak is still officially unknown, but produce vendors say customers are still buying fresh fruits and vegetables.

Customers shopped on Tuesday for typical ingredients like lettuce, peppers, and herbs at Iovine Brothers Produce inside Reading Terminal Market.

Eliminating fresh produce would leave people with too many unhealthy options. “What do you turn to then? M&M’s?” asked Butch Dougherty, director of operations for Iovine Brothers.

Dougherty said some customers, but not all, have been apprehensive about continuing to eat fresh vegetables without a clear source of the current outbreak.

“There’s some people that are concerned they might be avoiding lettuce just out of their own comfort level, but we have other people that are still buying lettuce and spring mixes and whatnot,” he said, “so it seems to be more prevalent on some people’s radar, but not as prevalent on the other people’s.”

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause cyclosporiasis and lead to days or even weeks of diarrhea, cramping and fatigue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend washing your hands before decontaminating fresh produce. According to CDC data, there have been 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclospora nationwide since May 1, with less than 30 cases reported in Pennsylvania.

Cold water rinsing helps reduce risk, but it is not guaranteed to kill the parasite. Cooking vegetables to 165° is the best way to kill cyclospora and most foodborne pathogens.

Dougherty recommends people wash their produce before consuming it. “It does always make sense to wash your produce,” he said.

“It does always make sense to buy from a reputable retailer and to have a connection to your grocer, to know where it’s coming from and to get an honest source, and that all makes sense. Everyone's just trying to take care of themselves.”