What To Buy And What To Avoid

I suppose by this point most everyone has head about the "poo-poo parasite" (Cyclospora) issue in the United States. The parasite is contracted by consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms are severe, watery, and sometimes explosive diarrhea, which can last for weeks if untreated.

The Food and Drug Administration thought they had identified the source of the outbreak-shredded iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico that came from one specific supplier-but it turned out to be a false positive result and the hunt is still ongoing.

In the midst of all this I found this great infographic about things that are safe and not safe to eat until the outbreak is under control.

Reader's Digest

Things that are safe to eat: Thick peeled fruits (like bananas, oranges, pineapples, avocados, and watermelons); firm, smooth vegetables (like cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli); layered vegetables (like cabbage); commercially frozen products (both fruits and vegetables); and cooked or processed foods (canned and baked).

Things to avoid, or only eat cooked: Raw berries (like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries); soft-skinned fruits (like peaches, plums, nectarines, and grapes), raw leafy greens (like fresh spinach, romaine lettuce, and greens); prewashed salad mixes (like bagged kits and precut greens); precut grocery fruit bowls (anything including melons or berries), and fresh raw herbs (like cilantro, basil, and parsley).

If you live in the United States, how much have you been affected by the outbreak? Have you made any changes in your diet?