Shoppers rethink lettuce purchases as parasite cases climb
RUSSELLVILLE — As cyclosporiasis cases continue to climb in north Alabama, some local shoppers are cutting lettuce out of their routines altogether — whether it’s on a dinner plate, in a bagged salad, or ordered on a burger.
The Alabama Department of Public Health has now confirmed 106 cases of cyclosporiasis statewide, including 67 in the Northern District, which covers Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Lawrence, Winston, Limestone, Morgan, Cullman, Madison, Marshall and Jackson counties.
Haleyville resident Nikki Reeves, who routinely shops at the Big Star in Russellville, said her family has changed how it shops and eats out since the outbreak began. She said she now buys whole heads of lettuce rather than bagged, pre-washed varieties, and scrubs each head herself before serving it.
“I’ve never scrubbed my lettuce before,” Reeves said. “I have to start now.”
Reeves said the outbreak has reinforced a decision she and her family made when they moved to Haleyville — growing more of their own food.
“We are wanting to homestead and grow a lot of our own stuff,” she said. “You look at most of these big outbreaks, and they’re in big ag. If you’ve grown your own stuff, you know what’s going in it. You know where it’’ coming from.”
As a mother, Reeves said the outbreak adds a layer of concern that makes the extra effort worth it.
Franklin County resident Kathy Lane said she has stopped ordering salads when she eats out and no longer buys bagged lettuce at the grocery store.
“I used to figure those prepackaged ones might be fine,” Lane said. “But I’m not taking that chance.”
Lane said she’s hopeful the situation will improve soon but isn’t ready to change her habits yet.
“Give me another month or two,” she said.
At Food Outlet of Florence, Assistant Manager Clara Powell said customers have been asking whether the store’s lettuce is connected to the outbreak, with most of the concern centered on bagged lettuce. Powell said the store will soon begin carrying Little Leaf Farms salad products, a brand she said she feels comfortable selling to customers.
Federal health officials continue to investigate the outbreak, which has been linked to recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico and distributed by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The outbreak has sickened 9,481 people in 17 states, with at least 398 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan. Maine and Massachusetts were added to the list of affected states since the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) last update.
The recalled lettuce products are past their best by dates and should no longer be available in stores or restaurants. The CDC has not advised people to avoid iceberg lettuce in general.
The CDC said the actual number of illnesses is likely higher because some people may recover without seeing a doctor or may not be tested for Cyclospora.
Health officials say additional cases are expected to be confirmed, as it can take several weeks to determine whether an illness is connected to the outbreak. They also believe the actual number of illnesses is higher than the confirmed total, since some people recover without seeking medical care or being tested.
