Local farmers feel outbreak’s effects
NORWALK — Local farmers are experiencing declining sales amid concerns surrounding a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, according to state Rep. Kellie Deeter, who is urging consumers to continue buying Ohio-grown produce.
Deeter said growers throughout her district have been affected by widespread national coverage of the outbreak even though Ohio-grown fruits and vegetables have not been identified as a source.
“These farms employ hundreds of Ohioans and are vital to our rural economy,” Deeter said. “When consumers avoid all fresh produce out of fear, local farm families and workers pay the price even though they have no connection to the outbreak.”
Federal health officials have linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating cases reported across nine states, including Ohio. As of July 24, the outbreak included 1,947 reported illnesses and at least 98 hospitalizations. No deaths had been reported.
Deeter emphasized that locally grown produce has not been implicated in the investigation.
“Our local farmers are among the hardest-working people in Ohio, and they take tremendous pride in producing safe, high-quality food for our families,” Deeter said. “While foodborne illness outbreaks understandably create concern, it’s important that consumers have accurate information. At this time, Ohio-grown fruits and vegetables have not been implicated in this outbreak.”
Taylor Farms de Mexico announced July 17 that it was removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. Recalled food-service products were distributed in Ohio and several other states.
Consumers, restaurants and retailers that received recalled lettuce should discard it and clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers it may have touched, according to the FDA.
Deeter encouraged Ohioans to follow FDA and CDC recall notices while continuing to include fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets.
Recommended food safety practices include washing produce thoroughly under running water, washing hands before handling food and avoiding products specifically identified in recalls or outbreak investigations.
Consumers also can support local agriculture by purchasing Ohio-grown products from farm markets, roadside stands and grocery stores, Deeter said.
“I also encourage the FDA and Ohio Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau to continue communicating clearly with consumers about the safety and quality of Ohio-grown produce,” Deeter said. “Ohio agriculture has earned the public’s trust, and we should do everything we can to ensure consumers understand that our local growers have not been linked to this outbreak.”
