While federal investigators continue to search for the source of the ongoing cyclospora outbreak, many people may be wondering what they should order when dining out.Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite known to cause cyclosporiasis, Fox News Digital previously reported.The hallmark symptom of the infection is watery, "explosive" diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Cyclosporiasis is often caused by consuming contaminated produce.
The U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce but later said the lab the agency used had produced a false positive.SCIENTISTS SAY YOU'VE BEEN THROWING AWAY PERFECTLY GOOD MEAT BECAUSE OF ONE COMMON MISTAKEWhen it comes to eating at restaurants, it's important for consumers to remember that "science follows evidence, not headlines," said Darin Detwiler, professor of food policy and corporate social responsibility at Northeastern University in Boston.Restaurant goers should approach dining out with informed awareness rather than fear, a food-safety expert said.
(iStock)"When people hear about an outbreak, it's natural to wonder whether they should stop eating out," Detwiler told Fox News Digital."My answer is no.
Consumers should approach dining out with informed awareness rather than fear."TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZThe restaurant where someone becomes ill is not necessarily where the contamination occurred, Detwiler said."Fresh produce often travels through a long and complex supply chain before it reaches a kitchen," he said."What we expect – and deserve – is accountability.Public confidence is built through transparency, not perfection.""A restaurant may receive ingredients exactly as they were shipped from an approved supplier, while the root cause lies much farther upstream – in agricultural practices, water quality, processing or distribution.
That's why food safety is...