Cyclosporiasis cases tend to rise in the U.S. every year from May through August, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During outbreak season, federal and state investigators often focus on fresh produce that is eaten raw and handled little before serving. Here are five foods that have been repeatedly tied to Cyclospora investigations in past CDC and FDA updates.
Bagged salad mixes
Bagged salad mixes have appeared in multiple Cyclospora investigations because they often combine several raw ingredients in one package. In 2020, the FDA and CDC traced a multistate outbreak to Fresh Express bagged salads containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots, with 701 laboratory-confirmed illnesses reported across 14 states.
Those 2020 products were sold under brand names including Fresh Express, ALDI Little Salad Bar, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms, according to the FDA. Health officials did not say every bagged salad is unsafe, but they confirmed that prepackaged mixes can complicate traceback work when several farms and processors are involved.
Fresh cilantro
Fresh cilantro is one of the most frequently cited foods in Cyclospora outbreak history. The CDC said cilantro from Puebla, Mexico, was linked to repeated outbreaks between 2013 and 2015, including a 2015 cluster that contributed to more than 500 illnesses reported in states such as Texas and Wisconsin.
The FDA responded by increasing import restrictions tied to that growing region, and those actions remained a major food safety benchmark for years. Officials have not said all cilantro is affected in every outbreak, but the herb remains a known focus because it is commonly served raw in salsa, salads, and garnishes.
Basil
Fresh basil has also been tied to Cyclospora cases in the U.S., especially when used uncooked in restaurant dishes. In July 2019, the FDA said imported fresh basil from Siga Logistics de RL de CV in Morelos, Mexico, was associated with an outbreak that sickened 241 people in 11 states.
That investigation included illnesses in Florida, Minnesota, and New York, according to the CDC. Because basil leaves are delicate and often added after cooking, contamination can remain a concern if the product is eaten raw in pasta, pizza toppings, or side salads.
Raspberries
Raspberries are one of the earliest foods tied to major Cyclospora outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada. In 1996 and 1997, imported Guatemalan raspberries were linked to more than 1,000 cases, according to CDC historical outbreak summaries, making them a landmark example in produce safety tracking.
Those outbreaks pushed regulators and importers to tighten sourcing and sanitation standards, but raspberries still matter in outbreak discussions because they are fragile and usually eaten fresh. Federal officials have not tied every current Cyclospora event to berries, yet past investigations show why raw fruit stays on the watch list.
Vegetable trays and party platters
Vegetable trays and deli-style party platters can become a concern because they combine several raw produce items in one ready-to-eat package. In June 2018, Del Monte Fresh Produce recalled 6-ounce, 12-ounce, and 28-ounce vegetable trays after Cyclospora illnesses were reported in Iowa, Minnesota, and other Midwestern states.
The CDC later said that outbreak sickened 250 people in 4 states, with many cases tied to broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip sold together. For shoppers, the practical issue is that mixed trays can make it harder to identify a single ingredient, and public health agencies usually wait for lab and traceback data before naming one source.
