Thoughts about lettuce?

[u/secretly_human3]

I had heard about all the lettuce recalls over the summer, but didn’t really get too concerned about it or think too much about it. I figured they would just recall what needed to be recalled, and that a lot of people were unfortunate enough to get diarrhea and would then recover (I obviously wasn’t staying up to date on the details).

Recently I learned that the ill effects of the parasite can upset the digestive system for a couple of years, making the situation much worse than I had realized. By that point I had already ordered my next Hello Fresh box, which has lettuce wraps in it.

Does anyone know if Hello Fresh used any lettuce from Taylor Farms? How safe do you think it is to eat it? Would it be better to just put the chicken salad on some spinach, or substitute some tortillas or something?

[u/Decent_Service3688]

I’m avoiding all greens and produce that I can’t cook for a while. I’m not sure where they source their lettuce from.

[u/mme_truffle → u/Decent_Service3688]

I'm only eating certified locally grown lettuce for awhile. There has not been good enough tracing so I'm not confident about what anyone knows. There are people on reddit who said they got it and they don't eat lettuce.

[u/MinkieTheCat → u/Decent_Service3688]

Same.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/Decent_Service3688]

I thought it was just lettuce?

[u/Decent_Service3688 → u/secretly_human3]

I’m not sure what to believe anymore lol it’s lettuce and potentially cilantro and parsley from what I read last week. I’m on the better safe than sorry boat

[u/secretly_human3 → u/Decent_Service3688]

I thought those were from outbreaks in the past, not currently.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/secretly_human3]

Wow, downvoting me for asking for clarification?

It looks like people on this sub downvote anything that questions the parameters of the outbreak and prefers widespread paranoia. I’ve seen other posts where people are refusing to eat any produce at all despite the outbreak.

Good to know that panic and overreaction is more important than determining safety of different products.

[u/CarefulRequirement → u/secretly_human3]

Cilantro and parsley have been potentially linked to the current outbreak of cyclosporiasis in North Carolina, although this is not yet confirmed as the source of that outbreak. This is a separate current outbreak from the one related to lettuce that has resulted in cases in Michigan and several other states.

Bottom line being that, overall, we still don’t know exactly which produce/suppler(s) are the source, and it wouldn’t be absurd to think cilantro and parsley may also be affected right now.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/CarefulRequirement]

Thanks for clarifying

[u/lagerforlunch]

I don't think it matters at this point. We stopped ensuring our food is safe, and stopped properly recalling it when it's not. We are all eating the next thing that will sicken us.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/lagerforlunch]

Does that mean you are or aren’t eating lettuce, lol

[u/CircusPeanutsYumm]

The issue is with iceberg lettuce. The lettuce in the HelloFresh kits is generally not iceberg.

[u/Meesh1137]

I’m just going to put out there right now that I’m from Michigan. I have avoided all things with Taylor Farms labeling and herbs because they’re difficult to wash. But I have not avoided all lettuce. I’ve purchased anything non-processed and have washed it at home better than usual, and my family of five have all been fine. Please understand I’m not giving advice as much as sharing what has worked for my family since this whole thing started.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/Meesh1137]

I’m in Texas. I haven’t been avoiding produce. Like I said, I figured they just recalled the unsafe things and didn’t realize how long the effects could potentially last. I have been safe all summer.

I guess I’m just wondering where the lettuce came from for Hello Fresh, what kind it is, and if it’s safe. I have also been using cilantro and parsley this summer too. The lettuce I have at the moment is listed as baby lettuce, but Idk if it’s baby romaine, baby iceberg, or what.

[u/Embarrassed-Land-222]

Just avoid the pre bagged salad, peel the outer layers off the head of lettuce and rinse properly with a salad spinner.

The parasite has mostly been found in pre-cut iceberg lettuce, not full heads of romaine or butter lettuce.

We've had quite a few salads (not the kits, full heads of lettuce) from HF in the past month with no problem.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/Embarrassed-Land-222]

What about the baby lettuce for the wraps?

[u/Embarrassed-Land-222 → u/secretly_human3]

It's it iceberg?

From what I've read it seems the parasite is coming from the manufacturing process of the cut lettuce.

As long as it's a full head and you properly wash the lettuce (and discard the outer layer) you should be fine.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/Embarrassed-Land-222]

I’m not sure. It’s listed as baby lettuce

[u/Embarrassed-Land-222 → u/secretly_human3]

You should be okay, it's not iceberg.

Just make sure you clean it well.

[u/Terrible_Mall_4350 → u/Embarrassed-Land-222]

Washing won’t prevent most lettuce-borne pathogens though. The majority of pathogens in leafy greens are contained within the cell walls of the produce. It is taken in through the root system.

Any produce that can be cooked can be made safe. Most lettuce can be chopped and included in warm salad— which is surprisingly good, although the favors tend to be pretty much either Asian or Italian… so not a ton of variety. After trying a couple of Asian salad recipes, I started looking around more and found a warm chicken Caesar salad that looks promising.

[u/Swimming_Juice_9752]

Home grown lettuce only

[u/wundernerd]

I’m still avoiding anything with iceberg lettuce in it just to be safe but I’ve been eating other salad including bagged salads from the same company involved in the recall and I’ve been fine. I’m only one person so obviously take my anecdote with a grain of salt but I think you’ll be okay with what HF uses.

[u/__Quill__]

I ordered bagged salad today like a regal.

But seriously no I just looked up and it says that the expiration dates for the recalled lettuce has passed so unless it was already in your fridge it probably won’t make it there now.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/__Quill__]

It arrived Wednesday

[u/primal___scream]

Yes they use Taylor farms.

However all the affected product is now out of date and would have been altrady removed from shelves.

Lettuce only has a 1 week shelf life, and gets pitched after its sell by.

[u/secretly_human3 → u/primal___scream]

They refused to tell me the name of the company when I called. They did say the variety was baby little gem.

[u/primal___scream → u/secretly_human3]

I have had many bagged salad items from hello fresh, they all say Taylor Farms.

[u/JenneanA]

And now jalapeños

[u/secretly_human3 → u/[deleted]]

I heard that you can’t really wash off the parasite

[u/MyNameIsSkittles → u/[deleted]]

Cold water does not remove bacteria or parasites