More Oklahomans Turning to Local Produce Amid Cyclospora Outbreak
Officials say targeted recalls, kitchen hygiene and patient interviews can stop cyclospora outbreaks tied to contaminated produce.
- On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 506 cyclosporiasis cases statewide, comprising 496 confirmed infections and 10 probable cases.
- Cyclospora is transmitted exclusively through food or water contaminated with human waste, with infections peaking seasonally from May 1 to August 31 during spring and summer months.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked the outbreak to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, while federal data shows more than 22,000 cases across 47 states since June.
- Health officials advise cooking produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 F to destroy the parasite, while consumers should discard recalled items immediately rather than rely on washing.
- Local farmers like Jazar, co-founder of Deep Roots CPS Farm, report customers increasingly seek produce from trusted sources to improve traceability, as public health alerts signal active surveillance systems.
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12 Articles
More Americans Are Turning To Local Black Farms For Fresh Produce During Cyclospora Outbreak
Black farmers are seeing an uptick in business following the cyclospora outbreak, reinforcing the need for ongoing support. The recent outbreak is tied to 22,000 cases of illness across 47 states, with more than 500 people hospitalized, according to Capital B News. It is being described as an “explosive diarrhea parasite” that allegedly came from shredded iceberg lettuce shipped by Taylor Farms de Mexico, per Today. Other symptoms include loss o…
After Cyclospora Outbreak, Local Black Farms See Rise in Support
This summer, it has felt like the flow of Black folks and families arriving at Deep Roots CPS Farm in Charlotte, North Carolina, has never let up, said Cherie Jzar, the farm’s managing director. They’re in search of something that has become harder to find in the grocery aisle: certainty. They’re asking about lettuce — when and where you can best grow it — and how they can incorporate other vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens …
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