Story perspectives

Washing Whole Lettuce Cuts Cyclospora Risk, Bagged Not Sterile

7/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

During the cyclosporiasis outbreak, washing whole heads of lettuce at home reduces infection risk.
An immunologist says prewashed bagged lettuce meets commercial cleaning standards but is not sterile.
Harvest, cutting, washing, conveyor belts and packaging in commercial processing add multiple contamination points.
Cyclospora resists chlorine and clings tightly to leafy greens, making routine washing insufficient.
Lettuce from smaller farms usually undergoes fewer steps, reducing microbial exposure versus mass-produced bagged greens.

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Story summary

During the cyclosporiasis outbreak, washing whole heads of lettuce at home reduces infection risk.
An immunologist says prewashed bagged lettuce meets commercial cleaning standards but is not sterile.
Harvest, cutting, washing, conveyor belts and packaging in commercial processing add multiple contamination points.
Cyclospora resists chlorine and clings tightly to leafy greens, making routine washing insufficient.
Lettuce from smaller farms usually undergoes fewer steps, reducing microbial exposure versus mass-produced bagged greens.