Kitsap Public Health Issues Food Safety Tips

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

• ⚠
  Kitsap Public Health issued new food safety guidelines on July 28, 2026“null”
• ✓
  The U. S. faces over 1,900 cyclosporiasis cases linked to shredded lettuce from Mexico“Since May 2026, there have been over 1,900 cases of cyclosporiasis – a food illness caused by a tiny parasite – in the United States. While this specific outbreak has been linked to shredded lettuce from central Mexico, cyclosporiasis and other food illnesses (like salmonella, E. coli, and norovirus) can happen when you eat anything that has germs on it.”
• ✓
  The guidance emphasizes washing hands“Wash your hands When you’re ready for a snack, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before touching any food. You should also use warm water and soap to clean your counters, cutting boards, and utensils before, during, and after cooking.”
• ✓
  The guidance emphasizes cleaning produce“Wash your fruits and vegetables just before you eat them to make sure they are as clean as possible. Wash your hands When you’re ready for a snack, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before touching any food. You should also use warm water and soap to clean your counters, cutting boards, and utensils before, during, and after cooking. Wash your fruits and veggies Before you start cooking, make sure to remove outer leaves and husks and rinse your fruits and vegetables under cool, running water. If possible, scrub them with a brush specifically used for washing produce – and disinfect the brush after every use. Let your fruits and vegetables air dry or dry them with a paper towel before eating.”
• ✓
  The guidance emphasizes storing food safely to prevent illness“Store your food safely Once you’ve brought your fruits and vegetables home, carefully store them to keep them safe to eat. Anything that you refrigerate should be placed above - and separated from – raw meats, seafood, and poultry. Juices from raw meat can drip onto your other produce and make you sick.”
• ✓
  The agency recommends buying locally grown produce“If you can, buy fruits and vegetables that are grown locally. Local produce doesn’t have to travel as far to your store, so it has less chance of being contaminated with germs.”
• ✓
  The agency recommends scrubbing vegetables with a dedicated brush“If possible, scrub them with a brush specifically used for washing produce – and disinfect the brush after every use.”
• ✓
  The agency recommends separating raw meats from other foods in the refrigerator“Anything that you refrigerate should be placed above - and separated from – raw meats, seafood, and poultry. Juices from raw meat can drip onto your other produce and make you sick.”
• ✓
  High-risk groups, including seniors and pregnant individuals, are urged to seek medical help for symptoms like bloody diarrhea“When to get help Some people – like people over 65, small children, people who are pregnant, and people with weakened immune systems - are more likely to get sick from food and are more at risk for serious health problems from food illness. If you got sick from food, report it online or call us at 360-728-2235. Seek medical help as soon as possible if you experience severe symptoms like: Bloody diarrhea Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days High fever (temperature over 102°F) Throwing up so often that you cannot keep liquids down Signs of dehydration, which include not urinating (peeing) much, a dry mouth and throat, and/or feeling dizzy when standing up Learn more:Preventing Food Poisoning | CDC Cyclosporiasis | CDC Handwashing | Clean Hands | CDC”
• ✓
  High-risk groups, including seniors and pregnant individuals, are urged to seek medical help for symptoms like high fever“When to get help Some people – like people over 65, small children, people who are pregnant, and people with weakened immune systems - are more likely to get sick from food and are more at risk for serious health problems from food illness. If you got sick from food, report it online or call us at 360-728-2235. Seek medical help as soon as possible if you experience severe symptoms like: Bloody diarrhea Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days High fever (temperature over 102°F) Throwing up so often that you cannot keep liquids down Signs of dehydration, which include not urinating (peeing) much, a dry mouth and throat, and/or feeling dizzy when standing up”
• ✓
  Residents can report foodborne illness by calling 360-728-2235“If you got sick from food, report it online or call us at 360-728-2235.”
• ✓
  Residents can report foodborne illness by visiting kitsappublichealth.org“If you got sick from food, report it online or call us at 360-728-2235.”