Cyclospora Prevention Guide for Nashville Food Service

Nashville & Tennessee Health Department Requirements

The Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) enforces food safety codes aligned with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Tennessee Rules Chapter 0520-7-4 for food service sanitation. All food facilities must maintain documentation of produce supplier certifications, including water safety audits and pest control logs. When suspected Cyclospora cases occur, facilities must immediately notify the MPHD's communicable disease team and provide detailed ingredient traceability records. Tennessee law requires reporting within 24 hours of confirmed or suspected illnesses linked to your operation.

High-Risk Produce & Sourcing Controls

Imported herbs (cilantro, basil, parsley), fresh berries (raspberries, blackberries), and pre-cut salad greens remain the primary Cyclospora vectors; these items are frequently implicated in outbreaks reported to the CDC. Nashville facilities should source from suppliers with third-party food safety audits (SQF, BRC, or FSSC 22000 certified) and documented water quality testing for irrigation. Request supplier attestations that imported produce meets FDA compliance standards; the FDA maintains an import refusal list updated regularly. Establish a produce hold system: quarantine new shipments pending visual inspection and supplier documentation review.

Internal Prevention & Outbreak Response Protocols

Train all staff on proper washing of produce under running potable water, even pre-packaged items, per FDA guidelines; hand hygiene is critical since Cyclospora is not killed by standard sanitizers at food-safe concentrations. Implement a traceability system (lot codes, supplier names, delivery dates) for all high-risk produce so you can rapidly remove contaminated items if recalls are issued. If multiple illness complaints emerge, immediately cease use of suspect produce, preserve all packaging and invoices, and contact MPHD's environmental health division. Document all illness reports and corrective actions; Tennessee law allows the health department to suspend operating licenses for non-compliance.

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