A growing parasite outbreak in the US is raising fresh concerns about food safety, especially for people who regularly eat raw produce. The illness has been linked to fresh fruits and vegetables, including bagged salads, and can trigger watery diarrhea that lasts for days.

Doctors say prevention starts with being extra careful about what you buy and eat when outbreak warnings are active. That means paying close attention to public health alerts, checking whether any produce or packaged salad products have been flagged, and avoiding items connected to reported illnesses.

Good kitchen habits can also help lower the risk of getting sick. Washing fresh produce when appropriate, keeping food preparation areas clean, and storing perishable foods properly are basic steps that may reduce exposure to germs carried on raw foods. People may also want to be more cautious with ready-to-eat salad products during periods of heightened concern.

Because the parasite can cause several days of diarrhea, dehydration is a key concern if symptoms begin. Anyone who becomes seriously ill, cannot keep fluids down, or has symptoms that do not improve should seek medical advice, particularly young children, older adults, and others who may be more vulnerable to complications.