Is hydroponic lettuce safer during the cyclosporiasis outbreak? Food safety experts weigh in

Food & Wine magazine sought the expertise of John Hu in a report on whether hydroponic lettuce is a better choice during the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Hu said that hydroponic lettuce may be a safer choice. “The parasite typically spreads through contaminated surface water — such as water used for irrigation — and soil contact,” he says. “Because hydroponic systems are usually closed, this should, in theory, lower the risk.”