Reason why you should probably avoid eating salad right now

It might make the perfect summertime meal, but health experts have issued a warning to approach salad with caution for the foreseeable future.

The announcement comes in light of an outbreak of a parasitic infection across the United States that's causing widespread gastrointestinal issues, which officials believe could be linked to contaminated greens.

7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported by Americans in recent weeks, with more than 3,909 occurring in Michigan alone, as per NBC. The BBC cite a further 177 cases in Ohio, and 141 in Illinois.

Victims have been battling 'explosive diarrhoea', as well as bloating and nausea as a result of the infection.

Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services shared in a press release issued on Monday (13 Jul): "While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out.

The condition has been causing severe stomach issues up and down the country (Getty Stock Images)

"No specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source."

Until officials find a specific lettuce or salad green, or a particular grower or supplier, to blame for the outbreak, however, health experts are warning Americans - and residents of countries that trade with the States - to tread carefully when getting in their 5-a-day.

If you do insist on sticking to your diet this summer season, there are ways to keep abreast of nasty parasites - starting with washing produce carefully.

Melissa Vaccaro, a senior food safety program specialist at the National Environmental Health Association, told The Post: "The parasite can be difficult to remove from leafy produce because it may become trapped in folds, crevices or areas that water does not reach easily."

With this in mind, AtlantiCare director of infectious diseases, Dr Manish N. Trivedi, is warning patients not to order greens at restaurants, because you can't ensure they've received a proper scrub.

All greens should be carefully washed (Getty Stock Images)

"I’m not saying that they’re not taking all the precautions they necessarily need to, but individuals need to really weigh up their risks and benefits," he warned. "Each individual is different."

This is especially the case with people taking certain medications, which parasitic infections can inflict further harm upon.

"You know these symptoms of diarrhoea," Trivedi continued. "They can be traumatic for some individuals, and they can last even longer for individuals who are immunocompromised."

'So, should we avoid salad altogether?', I hear you ask. Well, apparently not.

"Consumers shouldn’t lose confidence in eating fresh fruits and vegetables," Vaccaro added. "Produce is an important part of a healthy diet.

"An increase in reported cases doesn’t necessarily mean we’re seeing more contamination."

She concluded: "It also reflects improvements in laboratory testing and public health surveillance that help us detect illnesses and connect cases that might have gone unrecognised in the past."