Lettuce sells out at farmers market amid concerns over ‘explosive diarrhea’ outbreak

MIDLAND, Mich. (WNEM/Gray News) — A parasite outbreak is raising concerns about lettuce and other leafy greens, prompting some residents in Michigan to change where they shop for produce.

According to the Michigan Department of Health, results have pointed to lettuce and leafy greens as a potential source of the outbreak, though other food items have not been completely ruled out.

Michigan officials say there are currently 3,762 confirmed cases statewide.

Midland resident Sandra Seeburger said she went to the Midland Area Farmers Market looking for lettuce after her husband’s doctor recommended buying locally sourced produce.

“By the time I got there, they were all sold out of lettuce,” Seeburger said. “And one vendor told me at her local farmers market, it only took 27 minutes, and all their lettuce was gone.”

That vendor, Leah Ritter of Shepherd Organic Produce & Poultry, said customers are buying lettuce out of concern over the spread of cyclosporiasis, which health officials say has caused cases of illness with “explosive diarrhea.”

“They are scared that they are going to get sick, or the different issues that are going on,” Ritter said. “They don’t want to get sick from that, so they wanted to come buy it locally.”

Michelle Jorck, owner of Michelle’s Flowers and Produce, said her lettuce sold out within three hours.

“I was surprised it sold out as quickly as it did,” Jorck said. “Because sales had been slower on it when it started coming in, and now we’re selling out.”

Health officials said, given the early information and the historical link between cyclospora and pre-packaged salad greens, they are recommending that consumers follow lettuce-specific safety measures.

The safety tips include purchasing whole heads of lettuce, rather than pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits. Discard the outer layers and thoroughly wash the remaining inner leaves under clean running water before eating.

And for any greens that can be cooked, make sure to cook them to a temperature of at least 158 degrees, which is the safest option, as the parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal.