If you’ve opened your fridge this week and wondered whether the berries, bagged salad, or fresh herbs sitting on the shelf are safe to eat, you’re not alone. A cyclospora outbreak has people across the United States asking the same question: which products are affected, and what should I actually do about it

Here’s the calm, no-panic breakdown — what cyclospora is, the symptoms worth knowing, which foods tend to be involved, and the simple steps that lower your risk. We’re keeping this updated as health officials release new information.

First, What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite — its full name is Cyclospora cayetanensis — that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis. It’s far too small to see, taste, or smell, which is exactly why contaminated food looks completely normal.

You can’t catch it from another person the way you’d catch a cold. Instead, people get infected by eating fresh food or drinking water that’s been contaminated with the parasite. Because it usually rides in on fresh produce that’s eaten raw — think leafy greens, herbs, and certain fruits — cooking isn’t part of the routine for these foods, so there’s no heat step to kill it.

That’s the whole reason produce outbreaks like this happen: the food is healthy, popular, eaten raw, and impossible to inspect with the naked eye.

Which Foods Are Usually Involved?

Cyclospora outbreaks in the U.S. have historically been linked to imported fresh produce, most often:

• Bagged or pre-packaged salad mixes
• Leafy greens and lettuce
• Fresh herbs such as cilantro and basil
• Berries and certain other fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables eaten raw, like snap peas

Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection

Symptoms usually appear about a week after eating contaminated food, though it can range from a few days to two weeks. That delay is part of what makes cyclospora tricky — by the time people feel sick, they’ve often forgotten what they ate.

The most common signs of cyclosporiasis include:

• Watery diarrhea that can come and go
• Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
• Stomach cramps or bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea
• Fatigue and a general run-down feeling
• Sometimes a low-grade fever

A hallmark of cyclospora is that it can come in waves — you might start to feel better, then feel worse again. Without treatment, symptoms can linger for a few weeks or even longer.

How to Protect Yourself Right Now

You don’t need to swear off salad forever. A few sensible habits go a long way:

1. Check for recalls before you shop and before you eat.
If a product in your kitchen matches an officially recalled item, don’t eat it. Follow the guidance in the advisory — usually that means throwing it out or returning it for a refund.

2. Wash fresh produce thoroughly.
Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water and rub firm produce gently with your hands. Honest caveat: washing reduces risk but doesn’t guarantee removal of cyclospora, since the parasite can cling stubbornly to surfaces. It’s a smart habit, not a force field.

3. Keep your kitchen clean.
Wash your hands before preparing food, clean cutting boards and counters, and keep fresh produce separate from raw meat to avoid cross-contamination.

4. When in doubt, throw it out.
If a product has been recalled or you’re genuinely unsure whether it’s affected, the cost of tossing a bag of salad is a lot lower than a two-week illness.

5. Cooking kills the parasite.
If you’re worried about specific vegetables, cooking them thoroughly eliminates the risk. Raw is where the danger lives.

How Serious Is It?

For most healthy adults, cyclosporiasis is genuinely unpleasant but not life-threatening, and it clears up with the right antibiotics. The bigger concern is for vulnerable groups — young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weakened immune system — where dehydration and prolonged illness are more of a risk.

The reason outbreaks make headlines isn’t usually severity — it’s scale. Because the affected products are popular items shipped to thousands of stores, a single contaminated source can reach a lot of households quickly. That’s why officials move fast to identify and pull products.

How to Stay Updated (The Reliable Way)

Rumors spread faster than facts during an outbreak, so go straight to the source:

• CDC — Cyclospora / Outbreaks: the CDC publishes case counts, affected states, and investigation updates.
• FDA — Outbreaks & Recalls: the FDA names specific products, brands, and distribution details.
• Sign up for FDA recall alerts by email so new product recalls come straight to your inbox.

We’re tracking these official channels and updating this page as the situation develops. Bookmark it and check back — the product list and case numbers above reflect the latest confirmed information each time we update.

The Bottom Line

Cyclospora is a real but manageable risk. The parasite is invisible, it rides in on fresh raw produce, and symptoms show up about a week later in waves. Your best moves are simple: check official recall lists, wash produce well, cook when you’re unsure, and throw out anything that’s been recalled. For a healthy adult it’s usually a rough couple of weeks with proper treatment; for vulnerable people it deserves quicker medical attention.

Stay informed, not alarmed — and check back here for updates as officials release more details.