Brownwood residents reviewing their produce choices during an ongoing nationwide Cyclospora investigation are being advised to check recalls, handle fresh fruits and vegetables carefully and consider avoiding some bagged salads until the source of the outbreak is confirmed.

KOXE Local News reported August 8, 2026, that iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico is believed to be a primary source of the outbreak. A separate outbreak in North Carolina has also been reported, although the source of that contaminated produce had not been confirmed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to investigate.

What Brownwood residents should know

Cyclospora is a parasite spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human feces. Illness caused by the parasite, known as cyclosporiasis, can begin two to 14 days after exposure or even later.

Possible symptoms include stomach cramps, watery diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, loss of appetite, low-grade fever and headache. People infected with Cyclospora may start to feel better before symptoms return. The illness is treatable with the correct antibiotics, according to the report.

Outbreaks are not uncommon and often peak during the summer. Fresh produce frequently involved in outbreaks includes lettuce, basil, cilantro, parsley and berries.

Produce-safety steps at home

  • Do not eat produce that has been recalled. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a current list of recalled items related to the investigation.
  • Consider avoiding bagged salads and other leafy greens until investigators confirm the outbreak source. One alternative is to choose whole heads of lettuce, remove the outer leaves and wash the lettuce thoroughly.
  • Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before preparing food, especially after using the restroom.
  • Rinse produce under cool, running water before peeling, cutting or eating it. Use a clean vegetable brush on firm or textured produce.
  • Cut away damaged areas, including on leafy greens and herbs such as cilantro or parsley.
  • Keep fresh produce separate from other raw foods and use clean utensils and cutting boards to prevent cross-contamination.

People who are very young, elderly, pregnant or have weakened immune systems may want to consider avoiding raw fruits, vegetables and herbs temporarily. Cooking produce to at least 158 degrees can kill the parasite, but washing removes only some of the Cyclospora that may be present.

The CDC says Cyclospora parasites are resistant to chlorine-based sanitizers. Consumers should not use bleach or soap to rinse produce.

For additional information, residents can consult the FDA’s Cyclospora resources and the CDC’s cyclosporiasis outbreak information. The investigation remains ongoing, and the source of some contaminated produce has not been confirmed.