UNITED STATES—Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard about Cyclosporiasis. It is an illness that effects your gut and is caused by a parasite. I have heard from a few people who are in states where this issue is starting to blow up and I mean that quite literally. It is a nasty illness to catch.
I really don’t want to talk about the symptoms; it involves being in the bathroom nonstop and its purely nasty. If you think the Norovirus is bad, this is just 10x worse. What is the source of this nasty little parasite? We do not know yet, because the story keeps changing. One thing was announced, then another thing was announced and now retractions are being made as it relates to produce. In particular, lettuce.
There has been talk about a bevy of restaurants that have been targeted as a result of this Cyclosporiasis outbreak. Taco Bell has pulled lettuce from the menu, then you have other restaurants that are pulling lettuce from the menu, and even some retailers have been raised onto the be careful profile list as a well. This is a bad thing when the American public doesn’t have concrete proof.
Why? It is sending out false narratives and its confusing at the same time. There are some people so scared as a result, they are literally not purchasing any produce. Not just leafy greens, but various types of berries including raspberries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, etc.
C’mon people, you literally cannot tell me you are not eating any fruits or veggies at all because you’re concerned about catching a parasite that is quite nasty to your gut? On the one hand, I can understand, but on the flipside it has me scratching my head because that cannot be good for your health. No leafy veggies, no fruits, so what are you eating because I know carbs cannot be good for the body, they ultimately turn into sugar if you don’t burn them off.
Also, it is just common-sense America, when it comes to any produce you purchase, you must properly wash it and clean it. It is common knowledge, but you have a lot of people who don’t even do that. They literally will go into the market and just eat grapes, or certain fruits too taste without considering what potential pesticide or something worse that is on that fruit or veggie.
Like use your brain people, but apparently washing your produce is not good enough. Why? This little parasite that is causing Cyclosporiasis is killed if you cook the produce. Well, you really can’t cook lettuce, and when it comes to leafy greens depending on the green you might be able to do that. With most fruits you can cook, unless its something like watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew than you’re out of luck.
I’d rather the government not put out any information that is misinformation. If you don’t know the official cause don’t say anything until you’ve pinpointed, it fully because you’re creating narratives that is causing more confusion than help.
Written By Jason Jones
