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Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi undergoes major surgery six months after her cervical cancer diagnosis
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is giving fans an update on her health, six months after sharing her cancer diagnosis.
In an emotional Instagram video shared on Saturday, the 38-year-old reality star revealed she underwent a hysterectomy six months after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
The video started off with clips of Polizzi arriving at the hospital and getting ready for surgery as she narrated what was going on via voice-over, before transitioning to her speaking directly to the camera following the procedure.
"I told you guys in general I’m not good with pain, and I’ve really been trying to be tough, but it’s not great," Polizzi said. "And the reason is because we did that C-section cut, and he obviously ended up taking out the uterus, my cervix and then some parts of my vagina just to make sure we get everything. So that was crazy. The fallopian tubes, all of it. We kept my ovaries so I don’t go into pre-menopause, which is nice."
The "Jersey Shore" star then cut the camera as she got emotional, telling viewers, "Sorry, it’s just been a lot," but that she is "trying to stay in good spirits."
She later shared her frame of mind prior to the surgery, explaining that the process involved hooking her up to machines, "put[ting] iodine in my nose. I had to scrub my body with this wipe, which left her feeling "nervous and anxious."
"I was starting to get nervous and anxious, getting checked in and stuff, and then they wheel me in where they’re doing the procedure," she said. "And I’m like, ‘Stay positive, it’s gonna be fine, don’t freak yourself out.’ My heart’s starting to race, I’m getting anxiety, and I’m getting the shakes. And then right when I go in, it’s just like, ‘Oh my god, like it hit me, like holy s---. I’m going under surgery. I’m losing my uterus and my cervix, fallopian tubes, half my vagina, like holy s---.’"
As she continued, she got emotional, recalling how she "start[ed] hysterically bawling" as she was "so scared," feeling like, "I don’t know what’s gonna happen."
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"I don’t wanna feel pain," she said. "It’s very scary. But I got on the table and the nurses are great. They’re saying I’m gonna do fine. The doctors are great, so I lay down, and I’m like, ‘F---, it’s happening,’ and then they give me something in my IV to calm me down. And I’m like, What the f--- couldn’t you give me this 20 minutes ago so I could calm down?
Polizzi also shared a lighter moment in which she felt determined to "set the record" for how long she could hold out before passing out from the anesthesia after doctors told her most people only make it to three seconds, proudly telling her followers she counted to 10.
In addition to getting a hysterectomy, Polizzi shared that the doctors also treated her for diastasis recti, with the reality star saying, "Obviously, I’ve had three kids, so when you have kids, sometimes your abs, they disconnect."
When it comes to why she chose to share her health journey with her followers, she explained, "It’s a scary thing and a lot of us women deal with it, and no one really talks about it. So I’m here to give that platform for all of us ladies."
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"And I read a lot of your comments that some of you are going to get surgery next week, you’re doing the same thing, so I’m here to show you what’s up and it’s scary, and it’s okay to be scared," she continued. "But now it’s over. It’s over. I just have to deal with the pain. It’s just like any surgery. You have pain, you gotta manage it, manage it, get the pain meds, and in a couple of days, you’ll feel brand spanking new, no more periods. I don’t have to take birth control anymore. Hopefully I’ll be cancer free, and that’s it."
She ended her post by thanking her followers and encouraging them to "get your Pap smears, okay?"
Polizzi first shared that she was diagnosed with Stage 1 cervical cancer in February, saying at the time that "I’m gonna probably get the hysterectomy."
Lynx coach defends trans athletes ahead of big game vs Fever with Sophie Cunningham rally scheduled outside
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve defended the right of "Save Women’s Sports" demonstrators to gather outside Sunday’s game against the Indiana Fever, even as she rejected their argument.
Reeve said that the scenario of "biological men" in girls' locker rooms is "not the case."
"It is not the case that we have 'biological men' in girls' locker rooms. The way it's being phrased, the innuendo there that transgender women are predators of some kind in the locker room. There's a lot of narrative that is problematic that we need to address," she said.
SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM RALLY ROCKS WNBA GAME AS 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' ACTIVISTS FACE COUNTERPROTEST
Fever star Sophie Cunningham recently said that she took a stand on the issue because, "I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Reeve's remarks came before a rally dubbed "Sophie Night," which XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey plans to hold outside Target Center in support of Cunningham, ahead of the Lynx game against the Fever.
Reeve suggested she is not concerned about any safety issues as a result of the rally.
"I don’t think we should feel like our safe space is being threatened," Reeve told reporters on Saturday. "I don’t think these demonstrators are not being peaceful, not that I’ve seen. I haven’t seen all of it. I haven’t heard everything that’s happening. But everyone has a right to peacefully assemble, whether you agree with them or not."
Similar demonstrations followed the Fever to Seattle on Tuesday and Portland on Friday this past week. The Seattle game erupted into controversy when two teenage Cunningham supporters alleged that Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton cursed at them courtside. The WNBA fined Keaton and barred her from Seattle’s next five home games.
Reeve said the league must protect players and fans who feel threatened or discriminated against while preserving the WNBA’s culture of inclusion.
"The commissioner and the league have a responsibility to ensure that any topic that could be problematic for players, or they perceive to be unsafe or threatened in any way or discriminated against, I think that’s something that’s fair for our leadership," Reeve said. "And I’m quite sure that they have eyes on and ears on to make sure that it’s a safe space for everyone. And that’s what makes our league beautiful."
But Reeve also argued that transgender participation has been presented as a larger threat to women’s sports than it is.
"In terms of, you know, my views, since I said last week, I come from a space of inclusion. And the narrative that I think that is problematic is to suggest that, um, number one, that transgender athletes are the biggest problem in women's sports. And I, I think this is what's bothersome is that there's a faction of people in our country that are making this, uh, a massive issue," she said.
However, she acknowledged that questions become more complicated after puberty and at elite levels where championships and scholarships are at stake.
"Every kid has the right to access," Reeve said. "Now, what gets nuanced is when you’re beyond puberty, when you’re an Olympic sport, when you’re looking at scholarships and that sort of thing. That’s where I say that common-sense people get together and you find common ground to find a way to be inclusive. The answer isn’t no."
Reeve said she previously encouraged league officials to establish a policy before such a situation arises.
"I encouraged the WNBA leadership years ago: What’s our stance? What are we going to do when this occurs? Are we going to be ready? Are we going to be reactionary?" Reeve said. "It would make sense for our league to be leaders in this space."
The debate has reached the WNBA after other major sports institutions moved toward sex-based eligibility. The NCAA limits women’s competition to biological females, while the International Olympic Committee will impose biological eligibility rules and genetic screening for women’s events beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The Supreme Court also upheld state laws protecting female school sports in June. The justices ruled 6-3 on the constitutional questions, while all nine agreed Title IX does not require states to make exceptions allowing transgender athletes into female competition.
Reeve nevertheless maintained that transgender participation is not the greatest obstacle facing female athletes, pointing instead to disparities in facilities, uniforms, locker rooms and institutional investment.
"This is an issue that I think we can thoughtfully work through," Reeve said. "You can voice your opinion, have a strong opinion, but it’s a safe space for everyone regardless of whether or not we agree."
Reeve revealed her stance on the issue on July 17, days before Cunningham revealed hers. Reeve was asked that day about the recent Supreme Court ruling that protects state laws that ban males from women's sports.
"The attacks on trans people, the attacks that they’ve gone through… it seems like it’s got way more aggressive, it’s sort of sickening when the issues they are trying to tackle are really not issues, the number of transgender athletes they are now making laws for and creating a problem, to get elected," Reeve said.
"What I’m hopeful for is that people have gotten themselves more educated and they understand that, that’s not actually a problem… exclusion is never the answer, separate isn’t equal, and trans lives matter, so to take away something that’s so valuable that sports brings to young people in particular and what it does, as I have a youngster, encourages you to be part of a team and what it gives you in terms of teamwork, leadership, competitiveness, all the things, they have every right to that as well"
Now, Reeve will lead a marquee matchup showdown against Cunningham, Clark and the Fever with what is expected to be the biggest Cunningham rally to date raging outside on Sunday.
State Department raises travel warning for part of Spain as migrant surge sparks military deployment
The State Department on Saturday raised its Travel Advisory for Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta to Level 3: Reconsider Travel after tens of thousands of migrants surged into the Spanish territory from neighboring Morocco, prompting a major security response.
The updated advisory warns that the "massive and uncontrolled arrival of migrants from Morocco to Ceuta may lead to unpredictable and dangerous security situations."
"Spain has deployed the Spanish military, Spanish National Police, and Guardia Civil as a result of this serious situation," the advisory states. "Americans should reconsider travel to the area given the risks posed to their safety and security."
SPAIN DEPLOYS MILITARY AFTER THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS OVERWHELM BORDER ENCLAVE, AT LEAST 18 DEAD
The advisory applies only to Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city on the northern coast of Africa that borders Morocco. The rest of Spain remains under its existing travel advisory level.
Spanish officials have scrambled to respond after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta this week. Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas said Friday that about 60,000 migrants entered the enclave over a 24-hour period, while Spain's Interior Ministry later estimated roughly 50,000 arrivals since Thursday. Authorities said thousands have since returned to Morocco.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain would boost the presence of security forces in Ceuta, deploy a physical sea barrier to help facilitate repatriations and continue working with Moroccan authorities to combat human trafficking networks.
Authorities have linked the migrant surge to a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling involving migrants arriving by sea. Sánchez said human trafficking organizations misrepresented the decision, triggering the influx.
The crisis also drew comments from President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting Friday at Camp David.
"You know, I saw Spain yesterday, and I watched the catastrophe that took place. It looks like an invasion of a country by hundreds of thousands of people. And that same thing is going to happen to us if the Republicans don't get elected," Trump said.
Earlier Friday, Trump also told Fox News chief White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich: "It's terrible. Remember that picture. That's going to be us in three years if the wrong side gets in."
Ceuta, along with the Spanish enclave of Melilla, has long been a flashpoint for illegal migration into Europe because both territories sit on the African mainland while remaining part of Spain and the European Union.
'The Sopranos' actor Vincent Pastore dead at 80
"The Sopranos" star, Vincent Pastore, died at the age of 80.
The actor's manager, Robert Attermann, confirmed his death to Fox News Digital, saying, "Vinny passed away either yesterday or today at home in The Bronx."
"I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before 'The Sopranos' made him a household name," Attermann said. "To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable 'Big Pussy,' but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more."
Pastore was known for his role as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on the hit HBO Max show, and played a major role as a member of Tony Sopranos clique, before betraying him.
'TOP GUN: MAVERICK' ACTOR JAMES HANDY'S FINAL MOMENTS REVEALED IN AUTOPSY REPORT
In addition to his role on "The Sopranos," Pastore also appeared in "Goodfellas," "A Bronx Tale," "Carlito's Way," "Gotti," ""Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn," "Mickey Blue Eyes" and others.
He also appeared in a number of television projects, including "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order," "General Hospital," "Bull," "Pair of Kings," "Hawaii Five-0" and most recently lent his voice on an episode of "Yellowjackets."
"He loved being an actor," Attermann said. "He was passionate about his craft and was always encouraging, respectful, and generous with young actors, taking the time to offer guidance and support whenever he could."
Pastore also competed on a number of reality competition shows, including "Dancing with the Stars," "Celebrity Fit Club" and "Celebrity Apprentice."
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Attermann referred to Pastore as "one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known," adding, "He treated everyone with warmth and respect, never turning down a fan who wanted a photograph or an autograph."
"He genuinely appreciated the people who supported him and always made them feel valued," he said. "For me, losing Vinny is deeply personal. Over more than three decades, I had the honor of watching not only his remarkable career but also the incredible person he was. I will miss his friendship, his loyalty, his humor, and his generosity."
He continued: "My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless fans whose lives he touched. He leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond his memorable performances. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. May his memory be a blessing."
Pastore's former co-stars, including Kathrine Narducci and Lorraine Bracco took to Instagram to share their own tributes to the fallen star.
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Bracco reposted a photo of the actor on her Instagram story, writing, "Such a funny & charming man…just a beautiful soul. Absolutely heartbreaking."
Narducci shared a photo of the two of them on her feed, captioning the post, "This one is crushing , With the most heavy heavy heart I lost my Dearest Big brother friend Vincent Pastore . 35 years of friendship . This is a tremendous loss."
Micheal Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti on the hit drama series, also paid tribute to the actor, sharing a photo of the two of them on the red carpet, in which Pastore has his arm around him.
"Our beloved friend and collaborator VINCENT PASTORE has passed away," he wrote in the caption. "This is a hard one for us, it seems like I’ve known Vinny forever. We did lots of work together and traveled all over the USA as well as Italy and Australia. Lots of good times. Lots of laughs. Vinny was a kind hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will miss him always.
Joe Pantoliano shared a few photos of the two of them together on Instagram as well, writing, "God bless him. He made it to 80."
"Vin and I were never actually on set together, but through our Sopranos family I got to know him over the years." he wrote. "I always liked him. He had this incredible appetite for the business and he never lost that spark. That always made me smile. My heart goes out to his family, his friends and everyone who loved him. Rest easy, Vin. ❤️"
Pastore is survived by his daughter Renee.
Sophie Cunningham shares touching moment with young Fever fan after game against Portland
There was a lot of intensity in the building when the Indiana Fever paid a visit to the Portland Fire on Friday night.
Most of that intensity came from leftist fans who were upset that Fever star Sophie Cunningham voiced her support for keeping biological men out of women's sports. A stance you'd think is universal among female athletes and fans of women's athletics in general... but here we are.
However, Cunningham didn't let that get to her; in fact, she did the exact opposite, and it was summed up nicely in a heartwarming moment with a young fan after the game.
FEVER SHUT DOWN SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM QUESTIONS, ABRUPTLY END PRESS CONFERENCE
Cunningham was welcomed onto the court in Portland with boos and fans waving transgender flags, and she quickly shut them up by burying a three-pointer and sending a quick message of her own.
Cunningham finished the night with 13 points and 3 assists, and the Fever went on to win 112-98 thanks in large part to a triple-double from Caitlin Clark.
But after the game, Cunningham showed that she practices what she preaches.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE
In the ESPN profile that sparked the events of the past week, Cunningham talked about wanting to "protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
So, after what had to be one of the more intense games of her WNBA career, Cunningham had an incredible moment with a young fan in which she gave her one of her game-used shoes.
Hang on to that shoe, young lady; those things are tough to find these days.
What a moment, and one that the young girl will never forget. You can also see that Cunningham's willingness to support women and girls is being felt, and in this case very much appreciated.
As Riley Gaines recently pointed out, the WNBA is at a crossroads where it must decide whether its priority is growing the next generation of girls who will one day join its ranks or political activism.
I think this is a pretty good example of why the former is the right choice.
And yet, if you ask some of the people protesting in Portland — which is like the city's official pastime at this point — or the co-owner of the Seattle Storm, Cunningham is the villain in all of this.
Yeah... okay.
Leonardo DiCaprio goes shirtless during yacht getaway with model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti
Leonardo DiCaprio and his 28-year-old girlfriend, Italian model Vittoria Ceretti, are baring it all during their Saint-Tropez yacht vacation.
Earlier this week, DiCaprio and Ceretti were seen with friends, Tommaso Buti and Laura Harrier, while enjoying a dip in the Mediterranean Sea. DiCaprio, 51, was seen shirtless on the back of the boat.
Most of the snaps came after the famous crew took a quick swim and boarded back on the yacht. In an image, security can be seen standing at the back of the boat while the group took a swim.
DiCaprio took his white baseball hat off to go into the ocean. He then relaxed on the large boat in a pair of swim shorts and no shirt.
GISELE BÜNDCHEN CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN LEOPARD-PRINT BIKINI AS SHE REFLECTS ON GRATITUDE
Ceretti and DiCaprio have been romantically linked since the summer of 2023, when they were first spotted together during outings in Europe. Since then, the couple has kept their relationship largely private.
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The "Titanic" actor has a long history of shorter relationships, famously with women much younger than him, but a source told People in March that his relationship with Ceretti feels "different and more serious."
"He genuinely cares for her. They may not be ready to get married, but for the first time Leo is open to a serious future," the source told the outlet at the time.
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They added, "Vittoria also has her own life and she’s very independent, which is appealing to him, especially when he’s away for filming and has long days on set."
The source noted that DiCaprio "is much more openly affectionate with Vittoria than his friends have ever seen him be with any other girlfriends."
How often are married people having sex? What to know about the intimacy standard in America
New survey data offers a snapshot of how often married Americans are having sex, while researchers say the findings challenge common assumptions about relationship health.
National demographic studies suggest that lower sexual frequency is often a normal part of aging and long-term relationships, and that there may be a "sweet spot" associated with marital satisfaction.
Data from the General Social Survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found that married Americans report a wide range of sexual frequency.
WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD IMPACT SEXUAL HEALTH IN UNEXPECTED WAYS
The survey asked how often couples have had sex during the last 12 months. Among the 1,893 married respondents surveyed in 2024, the responses were as follows.
The average American adult has sex 53 times a year — or a little more than once per week, according to research by the telehealth platform Hims.
While marriage is often associated with less frequent sex, research has found the difference to be relatively small. A 2014 study found that married people had sex about 55 times a year, compared with 59 times a year among their unmarried peers.
"Experts aren’t sure precisely why this difference exists or why what used to be an advantage has become a disadvantage, but some believe it may be related to the increasing age at which most people get married," Hims wrote in a medically reviewed article.
"There’s no ‘perfect statistic’ or ideal amount of sex. In other words: You like what you like, and that’s perfectly OK."
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Clinical data suggests that aiming for a daily or high-volume sexual quota does not actually improve relationship quality.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science in 2015 evaluated more than 30,000 individuals over four decades and discovered a drop-off in additional benefits.
While overall happiness increased as physical intimacy moved from monthly to weekly, couples who had sex two, three or four times a week experienced no additional statistical boost in marital satisfaction compared to those hitting the weekly threshold.
Experts emphasize that sexual desire naturally fluctuates as couples navigate career demands, parenthood and biological aging.
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Despite some research suggesting a slowdown with age, intimacy remains an important factor in healthy aging, linked to improved physical and emotional well-being.
AARP survey data indicates that physical connection remains routine for many older Americans, with roughly 17% of adults aged 70 and older engaging in sexual activity on a weekly basis.
When a couple experiences an intimacy dry spell, medical professionals recommend evaluating physiological factors rather than jumping to conclusions about incompatibility.
Educational resources from the International Society for Sexual Medicine note that the following physical conditions can influence libido.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Rather than trying to force a weekly goal, healthcare providers encourage couples dealing with mismatched sexual desire to discuss the issue openly and consult a doctor to evaluate baseline hormone levels, medication profiles and overall metabolic health.
Explosion at restaurant in central Moscow leaves three dead, more than a dozen injured
Three people were killed on Saturday at a restaurant in central Moscow following a massive explosion.
The explosion was caused by a homemade explosive device, Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee claimed.
The dead included a woman who attempted to bring the explosive device into the restaurant, a security guard and a patron, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported.
At least 21 more people were injured in the explosion, which happened around 8 p.m. on a ground floor terrace restaurant at Kudrinksaya Square, which includes seven skyscrapers built during the Stalin regime.
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A Russian outlet said the explosion happened at the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant. Its website said it was closed Saturday for a private event.
Heavily armed law enforcement was seen at the scene.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
ICE arrests illegal immigrant accused of rape, multiple sex crimes after release from Maryland jail
A Guatemalan illegal immigrant charged with rape and multiple other sex crimes in Massachusetts was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers after his release from state custody, federal officials said Tuesday.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers in Boston arrested Rocael Ordonez-Cruz, 23, on July 21 at the Middlesex County House of Correction in Billerica, Massachusetts, according to the agency.
ICE said Ordonez-Cruz entered the United States illegally at an unknown location and time without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.
ICE LODGES DETAINER FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISARM VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER
The Arlington, Massachusetts, Police Department arrested Ordonez-Cruz on June 25, according to ICE.
Local authorities charged Ordonez-Cruz with rape and assault to rape.
He also faces charges of indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or older, as well as indecent exposure, according to the agency.
"Rocael Ordonez-Cruz has not only displayed a blatant disregard for our laws by illegally entering this United States and later allegedly sexually assaulting our residents, he has also proven to be a threat to our neighborhoods," acting Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Field Office Director David Wesling said.
"The arrest of this alleged sex offender from the streets of Massachusetts shows our officers' dedication to the safety and security of our New England communities. We will not stop finding and arresting dangerous criminal alien offenders," he added.
After his release from state custody, ICE officers arrested Ordonez-Cruz and served him with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge.
The notice to appear initiates removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
Ordonez-Cruz will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of those proceedings, according to the agency.
Fox News Digital reached out to ICE for clarification regarding the circumstances of Ordonez-Cruz's arrest but did not immediately receive a response.
Lettuce farmers plow crops back into soil as cyclosporiasis fears tank demand for fresh greens
The nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak has forced some American farmers to throw out their entire lettuce crops, according to a report.
One such farmer in California’s Salinas Valley told the Wall Steet Journal this week that he had to chop up 300,000 pounds of romaine hearts and plow it back into the soil.
This came with no evidence that his crops were infected with the parasite causing explosive diarrhea that has sickened thousands of people in nearly every state.
WHITE HOUSE ADDRESSES GROWING PARASITE OUTBREAK AFTER MORE THAN 400 AMERICANS SICKENED
Cox’s Coastline Family Farms supplies major grocery stores and top restaurants around the country, but the outbreak has lowered the demand for his greens by as much as 30%, he said.
"It is incredibly demoralizing," Cox told the Journal. "I would’ve been better off taking a vacation in the South of France than planting the crop."
The region is known as "America’s Salad Bowl" and supplies the country with nearly half of its lettuce.
CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK: IS IT STILL SAFE TO EAT AT RESTAURANTS? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW
Still, he’s optimistic about the next harvest.
"You can’t afford to be downcast very long. You better pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep pushing forward," he explained.
Although the outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico recalled by California-based Taylor Farms — the country’s largest lettuce supplier --- it’s affected the entire lettuce industry as Americans worry.
CRUISE SHIP HIT WITH THIRD STOMACH ILLNESS OUTBREAK IN TWO MONTHS, REVIEW UNDERWAY
"Consumers aren’t sure what’s right anymore so, out of an abundance of caution, they’re just passing on everything," Joelle Mosso, a food scientist at family farm trade group Western Growers, told the Journal.
Viraj Puri, who founded Gotham Greens in Brooklyn told the Journal that, despite lagging sales, his company opted against less seeding.
"The public health benefits of a diet grounded in fruits and vegetables are indisputable," he said. "I really hope consumers can get back to trusting the fruits and vegetables they buy in stores, because they generally are safe."
Nationally, sales of fresh lettuce fell by nearly 9% in the month between mid-June and July as compared to the same time last year, the outlet reported, citing data from NielsenIQ.
That’s equivalent to 7.6 million pounds of lettuce.
Sales were also down on other vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, spinach and Brussels sprouts.
Even salad dressing has taken a hit.
After one outbreak of cyclosporiasis was linked to lettuce served at Taco Bell, its sales went down by 25% that week.
While some are heading to local farmers markets, hoping their lettuce is more safe, most people appear to be taking a vegetable pause.