An illness caused by a parasite that may be found in salad greens has swept across the United States in recent weeks — and some salad eaters in New York City are having second thoughts about their meal choices.
The illness, cyclosporiasis, is known to cause “watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea,” according to the New York City health department. In Michigan, where a serious outbreak has occurred, health officials said the illness might be tied to salad.
Officials have recommended avoiding food that could potentially carry the parasite and carefully washing uncooked fruits and vegetables. But for diners frequenting the many salad chains in New York City on Wednesday afternoon, that was not an option.
“I’m not the one that’s washing it,” said Emma Rumberg, a Pilates instructor grabbing lunch at the Sweetgreen in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. “I don’t have as much control.”
Ms. Rumberg opted for a bowl with cooked broccoli and sweet potatoes instead of a raw salad in order to reduce her exposure to the stomach bug, she said. But she added that she would continue to purchase greens from a grocery store and carefully wash them.
Michigan is currently reporting the most cases in the country, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that other states — including New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky — are also reporting higher than typical numbers. New York City has had at least 374 cases since May 1, higher than usual, according to the city’s health department.
Braden Apana, a technical engineer living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, emerged from a nearby Whole Foods on Wednesday without any salad greens. He said he would also avoid ordering salads from restaurants for the time being.
“Until I understand more what the outbreak is,” he said, “I wouldn’t be jumping to get a salad.”
That sentiment appeared to slow business at an uptown Just Salad on Wednesday. Rose Sproat, an Upper West Side resident, was shocked to find no line inside as she went to grab lunch.
“I come here in the afternoons — it’s usually a zoo in there,” she said.
Ms. Sproat, who works at a talent agency, said she would be more concerned if she was in her home state of Michigan, which reported 2,640 cases and 44 hospitalizations as of Monday. But New York’s cases are much lower, with a spike of 21 cases reported on June 10 — and a largely declining number since then.
In a Whole Foods Market by Columbus Circle, Alaina Bozarth lingered just a few feet away from the salad bar, pondering chicken and tuna salad options that did not include fresh lettuce.
“I’m not super intense about it,” she said. “I guess if I got a parasite, I get a parasite, but I’m going to avoid lettuce for at least the time being.”
For Ms. Bozarth, the main discourse over the cyclospora parasite has been on social media, rampant with cheeky videos that mention the side effects may include weight loss.
“Throughout all of the joking, there is a slight fear in my stomach for getting a parasite,” Ms. Bozarth said, looking at a mound of fluorescent green lettuce.
Others said they were hardened by past public health threats. Enrique Correa, an engineer who lives in Williamsburg, said that the Covid pandemic skewed his perspective on health risks. Having survived that, he didn’t hesitate Wednesday to eat a Sweetgreen salad for lunch.
“I’m living on the edge,” he said with a shrug.
But Lia Crockett, a music curator who lives in Bushwick, said she was frustrated that the U.S. government didn’t better communicate public health risks. She said she was aware of the outbreak, but only vaguely.
Leaving the nearby lunch spot Dig, known for its salads and bowls, John Hughes said he had not ordered anything green because of the outbreak. For now, he said, he will assume that “there is yellow tape around lettuce.”
The city health department recommended that people watch for frequent bowel movements, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, tiredness and low-grade fever. Symptoms can subside and return, the department’s website said, and the sickness can last from a few days to a month or longer.
People are encouraged to wash their hands, avoid food and water that may be contaminated and to be careful when traveling to avoid uncooked fruits and vegetables, ice and unfiltered water.
Alice Callahan and Davaughnia Wilson contributed reporting.