Staff Answer
Jul 21, 2026 - 09:01 AM
Yes. We believe the Ozo-Pod® 10 is an excellent tool for washing fresh produce because it generates high concentrations of dissolved ozone in water—a technology that has been extensively studied for food and water disinfection.
However, it's important to be scientifically accurate.
At this time, there are no published peer-reviewed studies that directly evaluate ozonated water against Cyclospora cayetanensis on fresh produce. Cyclospora is notoriously difficult to study because it cannot be easily grown in laboratory culture.
Instead, scientists often evaluate closely related protozoan parasites such as Cryptosporidium parvum, which produces environmentally resistant oocysts similar to Cyclospora.
One of the landmark studies, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, compared ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine against Cryptosporidium parvum. The researchers found that ozone was by far the most effective disinfectant tested, achieving greater than 90% inactivation with just 1 ppm of ozone for 5 minutes. Under the same study conditions, chlorine required much higher concentrations and much longer contact times and was significantly less effective. The authors concluded:
"With the possible exception of ozone, the use of disinfectants alone should not be expected to inactivate Cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water."
You can read the study here:
Effects of Ozone, Chlorine Dioxide, Chlorine, and Monochloramine on Cryptosporidium parvum Oocyst Viability
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
A second study published by the same journal confirmed ozone's effectiveness, using both laboratory testing and animal infectivity models. The researchers again demonstrated that ozone effectively inactivated Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts.
Read that study here:
Ozone Inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum in Demand-Free Phosphate Buffer Determined by In Vitro Excystation and Animal Infectivity
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
What does this mean for the Ozo-Pod® 10?
While we cannot presently honestly claim that the Ozo-Pod® 10 has been specifically proven to eliminate Cyclospora cayetanensis from fresh produce, the available science is encouraging.
The Ozo-Pod® 10 typically produces approximately 0.5–3+ ppm dissolved ozone, depending on water quality and temperature. That concentration falls within the range used in published ozone research and is substantially different from simply rinsing produce under tap water.
For best results, we recommend:
- Fill the container with clean water.
- Run the Ozo-Pod® 10 for approximately 10 minutes.
- Allow at least 3 minutes of additional contact time after ozone generation stops.
- Gently agitate leafy vegetables so all surfaces contact the ozonated water.
- Rinse with clean water afterward if desired.
Our Recommendation
During the current U.S. Cyclospora outbreak, we believe washing produce with the Ozo-Pod® 10 is a sensible additional food safety step. Although no produce-washing method can guarantee complete removal of every parasite, dissolved ozone has a much stronger scientific foundation than water alone and has demonstrated effectiveness against closely related chlorine-resistant protozoan parasites. It should be viewed as one layer of protection alongside following FDA and CDC food safety recommendations.
Source: various scientific studies - links in the answer, Roving Blue staff
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