if youre in the US (especially the northeast + michigan) i would avoid bagged salads/greens and generally wash your produce very thoroughly unless you want the diarrhea parasite
Michigan is experiencing its largest outbreak of a parasitic infection that causes severe diarrhea. Nearly 1,000 people have been diagnosed
this is not life-threatening, but also who wants weeks of diarrhea and a fucking parasite in them lol. if you suspect you've already had this and it's passed, i would see a doctor. you might need an antiparasitic anyway. if you're actively sick, see a doctor and they might be able to prescribe medication to help you get over it faster.
try to avoid eating raw vegetables, scrub fruit with a produce brush and rinse thoroughly with water. again, don't bother with premade greens or bagged salads. if you buy lettuce, remove the outer 2-3 layers of leaves.
there are UNVERIFIED rumors that the greens have been linked to a company that sources to taco bell. some locations have been actively pulling fresh ingredients like lettuce, avocado, and pico de gallo to mitigate the threat, so i would avoid any products from them just in case. considering how vast supply chains are, i'd be wary of any fast food greens in general for now.
Article dated 10th of July, 2026, for people just scanning past this post. Stay safe, American friends, the parasites that can come from greens can be surprisingly brutal.
We need to let go of the habit/assumption that the food supply is clean and safe. Huge swaths of the food safety regulations that were put in after Upton Sinclair have been removed, defunded, or are simply being ignored. We must protect ourselves and each other by adopting and maintaining good hygiene habits in the ways that we PREPARE the foods we eat.
Wherever possible choose to COOK your vegetables rather than eat raw.
Wherever possible choose fruits that can be PEELED
Always wash hands before and after handling food.
Do not eat pre-washed pre-cut bagged salad greens
Use whole heads of lettuce / spinach other greens instead.
Remove and discard outer leaves
Wash all vegetables and fruits thoroughly in cold running water.
Rub leaves to aid in removing contaminants.
AFTER the vegetables or fruits have been washed, allow them to soak for 10 minutes in cold water with salt or vinegar or baking soda added. Add enough so that the water clearly tastes of the additive (choose ONE -- salt OR vinegar OR baking soda.)
After soaking, then rinse once more with cold water.
