Health officials said thousands across the U.S. have been affected by E. coli and cyclospora outbreaks linked to contaminated produce, including lettuce connected to Taco Bell locations, with confirmed cases also reported locally from the Palm Beaches into the Treasure Coast. According to the Florida Department of Health, there have been five confirmed local cases of cyclospora since May: two in Palm Beach County, two in St. Lucie County, and one in Martin County. The outbreaks can cause severe stomach illness and intense diarrhea. Dakota and Brynlee Rhodes, visiting Delray Beach with their mother Jenny, said they are trying to stay away from lettuce. Jenny Rhodes said she misses her salads and berries but would rather be careful. George Lorenz said while grabbing lunch with his father Brian on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach that he's heard it's going around and is trying to stay away from it. They got pizza from Elisabetta's instead. In Boynton Beach, Hendriette Peckens said she bought two big bags of oranges, bread, and some apples while avoiding produce because of the outbreak and planned to cook Alaskan salmon for dinner.
Samantha Barone, dietitian for the bariatric program at Delray Medical Center, said consumers should stick to melon and things that have a harder skin that you can peel, but you still want to wash them before you cut into them and peel them. That includes foods like bananas, melons, and avocados. She also recommends washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them and says beans and nuts are safe alternatives that still provide fiber and protein. Barone's biggest warning is to avoid bagged lettuce if possible and instead buy 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 soak, massage and clean off your produce and make sure to cook your vegetables.