Fresh Herbs in Your Kitchen Could Be Riskier Than You Think: Here's Why

Cyclospora outbreaks have once again raised concerns about the safety of fresh produce, with certain kitchen herbs coming under the spotlight during food safety investigations. While herbs like cilantro, basil and parsley are packed with flavour and nutrients, they have occasionally been linked to Cyclospora contamination in past outbreak investigations. Importantly, these herbs do not naturally carry the parasite. Instead, contamination can occur during cultivation, harvesting, washing or handling if proper hygiene standards are not maintained. Understanding how these outbreaks happen can help consumers make informed choices without unnecessarily avoiding healthy ingredients.