Lettuce farmers plow crops back into soil as cyclosporiasis fears tank demand for fresh greens

A cyclosporiasis outbreak has led to a significant drop in demand for fresh lettuce, forcing some farmers to destroy crops. Cox’s Coastline Family Farms in California’s Salinas Valley reports a 30% decline in sales, with 300,000 pounds of romaine plowed into the soil despite no evidence of contamination. Taylor Farms, a major lettuce supplier, recalled iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak, affecting the broader industry.