Critics call for more information on outbreak

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Food safety advocates say they are alarmed by a lack of information being disseminated about the spread of a nasty intestinal illness that has sickened nearly 400 people nationwide, including cases in two states linked to prepackaged salad.

The outbreak of the rare parasite cyclospora has been reported in at least 15 states. Health officials in Nebraska and Iowa say they've traced cases there to prepackaged salad, but they haven't said which brand or where it was sold.

The lack of information has fueled concern among consumers and others who say companies should be held accountable when outbreaks happen and customers need to know to make food choices.

Mark Hutson, who owns a Save-Mart grocery store in Lincoln, said the lack of specific brand information threatened to hurt all providers, including the good actors.

Authorities said they still hadn't determined whether the cases of cyclospora in the different states are connected. -- AP