JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -Five Mississippians have been confirmed sick from cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness tied to fresh produce. No new cases have been reported, but the source of the outbreak remains unknown. State officials are urging residents to know where their food comes from.
Indoor farm draws attention during outbreak
Leigh Bailey owns Salad Days, an indoor, controlled-environment lettuce facility in Flora. The operation expanded capacity in March. Bailey said the facility’s growing process offers a layer of protection against contamination.
“We are an indoor facility… Controlled Environment Agriculture… It keeps the product that we’re growing safe from any outside contamination. No wild animals can get to it,” Bailey said.
Bailey said the facility uses no chemicals or pesticides because insects are walled out entirely. She also said shorter transport distances add to food safety…