The Florida Department of Health has confirmed five local cases of cyclospora since May, including two in Palm Beach County, two in St. Lucie County and one in Martin County. The cases come as reports of contaminated produce continue to spread across the country, with many South Florida residents changing what they eat and what they avoid.
The latest concern centers around lettuce linked to outbreaks of E. coli and cyclospora, including lettuce connected to Taco Bell locations. Health officials said thousands across the U.S. have been affected, with confirmed cases also reported locally from the Palm Beaches into the Treasure Coast. The outbreaks can cause severe stomach illness and intense diarrhea. Some families are steering clear of leafy greens altogether, with Dakota and Brynlee Rhodes visiting Delray Beach saying they are trying to stay away from lettuce. Their mother Jenny Rhodes said she misses her salads and berries but believes it is better to be careful. In downtown West Palm Beach, George Lorenz said he has heard about the outbreak and is trying to stay away from contaminated produce. Shoppers in Boynton Beach have been loading carts with alternatives, with Hendriette Peckens saying she bought oranges, bread and apples and planned to cook Alaskan salmon for dinner.
Samantha Barone, dietitian for the bariatric program at Delray Medical Center, said consumers should focus on produce with protective outer layers. Barone recommends sticking to melon and things that have a harder skin that you can peel. She also said the trick is to still wash them before cutting into them and peeling them, which includes foods like bananas, melons and avocados. Barone recommends washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them and says beans and nuts are safe alternatives that still provide fiber and protein. She emphasized that the outbreaks are not an excuse to abandon healthy eating entirely.
Barone's biggest warning is to avoid bagged lettuce if possible. Instead, she recommends buying whole heads of lettuce, peeling away the outer layers and avoiding berries, especially raspberries, because they are difficult to clean properly. She recommends cleaning produce using a one to three part mixture of distilled white vinegar and water, then soaking, massaging and cleaning off produce. She also suggests making sure to cook vegetables when possible.