Key facts
- A parasitic infection, cyclospora, has led to hundreds of cases and hospitalizations across the US.
- The parasite has been linked to produce including lettuce, green onions, and berries.
- Taylor Farms shredded lettuce was identified as a source by the FDA.
- Despite health warnings, many corporate workers continue to eat salads and bowls for lunch.
- Most individuals interviewed have not altered their consumption habits significantly, with some taking minor precautions.
Despite a widespread parasitic outbreak linked to produce such as lettuce and berries, many corporate workers are continuing to consume salads and bowls. The cyclospora parasite has caused hundreds of cases and hospitalizations across 34 states, with New York City alone diagnosing 374 cases since May. The US Food and Drug Administration has identified shredded lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms as a source of the outbreak.
Observations in Manhattan's Bryant Park revealed that many office workers still opted for salad and bowl-based lunches. While some individuals expressed skepticism about raw vegetables and berries, and a few mentioned taking minor precautions like trusting specific brands or avoiding certain produce, the majority indicated no significant change in their eating habits. Some workers were unaware of the outbreak, while others acknowledged the risk but chose to proceed with their usual lunch choices, with one individual describing their office lunch choice as 'going a little bit more rogue.' Rising produce prices were also noted as a potential factor influencing consumption for some.
One worker, Isabel Bermudez, a neuroscientist, stated she has been more hesitant to buy spinach at the grocery store and expressed frustration with the lack of information from health agencies. She also pointed out that increasing produce prices might inadvertently protect those who cannot afford fresh food. Another individual, Russell Peffer, attributed the spread of the parasite to a 'failing of the administration, gutting a lot of federal agencies that would oversee this stuff.'