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The No. 2 complication of the explosive diarrhea outbreak
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- A recent Cyclospora outbreak linked to tainted iceberg lettuce caused thousands of Americans to suffer from severe diarrhea and led many to avoid fresh produce due to infection fears.
- Doctors are now warning that this avoidance of fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber, has resulted in widespread constipation among those trying to prevent the infection.
- Cyclospora is highly resistant to disinfectants and can only be killed by cooking food to at least 158°F, making it difficult to eliminate from raw produce.
- The contaminated lettuce, supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, has been recalled and removed from shelves, but public anxiety about eating fresh produce persists.
- Health experts recommend consuming safer alternatives like spinach or whole heads of lettuce from trusted sources and reintroducing fiber gradually to relieve constipation within a few days.
