MDHHS: Michigan residents can resume routine guidance for consuming lettuce
Bagged lettuce and salads are displayed for sale at a grocery store chain in Minneapolis, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
This undated photo taken through a microscope provided by the CDC shows Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts found in a fresh stool sample which had been prepared with a formalin solution and stained with safranin. (CDC via AP, File)
Bagged lettuce and salads are displayed for sale at a grocery store chain in Minneapolis, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
This undated photo taken through a microscope provided by the CDC shows Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts found in a fresh stool sample which had been prepared with a formalin solution and stained with safranin. (CDC via AP, File)
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LANSING -- Due to a decline in new cyclosporiasis case reports and related emergency department visits, Michigan residents can now resume routine guidance for consuming lettuce and salad greens, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
The broad, precautionary recommendation to avoid bagged salad mixes during the Cyclospora outbreak is no longer in effect -- meaning residents can return to routine guidance for handling produce, resume usual food handling practices and make choices based on individual risk tolerance.
While the majority of the contaminated produce is likely no longer available for consumption, MDHHS continues to recommend avoiding specifically Taylor Fresh Foods' recalled iceberg lettuce.
"Since the start of this outbreak, MDHHS has remained committed to providing timely, transparent information and clear recommendations to Michigan residents," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive. "As new data has emerged, our guidance has evolved to reflect the best available evidence, helping ensure that prevention recommendations are accurate, actionable and responsive to the changing situation."
The department has reported 12,485 cases of cyclosporiasis in Michigan since June. By comparison, Michigan typically records only 40 to 50 cases of the illness in an entire year.
In addition, there were 279 reported cases of hospitalization and two deaths related to the diarrhea-causing parasite as of Aug. 6.
MDHHS data suggests most exposures occurred in late June to early July. One outbreak-related case of cyclosporiasis was confirmed in Delta County last month.
On average, those exposed to cyclosporiasis start to feel sick seven days after exposure, but symptoms can take up to 14 days to appear.
The department will continue to monitor the situation closely and inform Michigan families if conditions change, or if signals are detected that suggest additional contaminated products have entered the food supply.
All outbreak data will be reported on a weekly basis on Thursdays and can be found on the MDHHS Infectious Disease Outbreaks web page.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.