Local officials say the number of cases in the Houston area doesn’t appear to be abnormal, but wood-fired pizza restaurant Sauced Up announced Wednesday on Facebook that it would suspend sales of salads and fresh greens until public health authorities declare the cyclosporiasis outbreak resolved.
“Due to the recent nationwide outbreak of Cyclospora that health officials have traced in leafy greens and produce, we have made the decision to temporarily suspend all sales of salads and fresh greens out of an abundance of caution,” the post reads.
Baked Amazing Bakery, a home bakery in South Houston, posted a similar announcement to its Facebook page on Wednesday.
“Until further notice, Baked Amazing Bakery will not be using any fresh produce for our desserts and products!” the post reads.
Owner Erica Williams said she decided to post on Facebook after the parasite became a hot topic in cake-related Facebook groups. Williams said commenters were asking if they should put a PSA out or if they should still take orders knowing that the parasite could be there.
“Me going through the comments and I’m a home bakery, I’m for the customers,” Williams said. “I don’t want to make anybody sick, I don’t want to accidentally make anybody sick.”
Williams said she doesn’t typically use fresh produce in her cakes, but she still wants to be careful and hasn’t been buying any fruits, even for her kids.
H-E-B took to social media as well to quell fears about the parasite when a customer asked on X if H-E-B produce was safe to eat and free from Cyclospora.
“No H-E-B suppliers have reported issues with Cyclosporiasis to date,” the grocery account replied. “We continue to closely monitor the situation closely. Customers are encouraged to rinse their produce before consuming it.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that consumers should not eat shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The statement posted Thursday, said the FDA will continue investigating the Cyclosporiasis outbreak and more states could be added to the list.
It is unclear if any of the chain’s Texas restaurants stopped serving the ingredients as of Friday. The Chronicle reached out to Taco Bell for comment.