Taco Bell Lettuce Linked To Multistate Cyclospora Outbreak

Taco Bell Lettuce Linked To Multistate Cyclospora Outbreak

Federal health officials have linked Taco Bell lettuce served at restaurants in five states to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, prompting a warning for customers to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce from affected locations.

The Taco Bell lettuce under investigation was supplied by Taylor Farms and served at restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. More than 1,600 laboratory-confirmed illnesses have been linked to the outbreak, while additional suspected cases are being investigated across multiple states.

Taco Bell Lettuce Linked To More Than 1,600 Illnesses

Federal investigators have traced the Taco Bell lettuce involved in the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce from a single supplier in Mexico.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that consumers avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in the five affected states while the investigation continues. More than 1,600 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, with Michigan among the states experiencing a significant increase in illnesses.

Taco Bell has since removed the supplier's shredded iceberg lettuce from its supply chain nationwide.

The CDC's food safety investigation is focused on identifying additional illnesses and determining the full scope of the outbreak, with federal health officials continuing to update case information and consumer guidance.

Cyclospora Can Cause Weeks Of Illness

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis. People can become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.

Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue. Without treatment, symptoms can continue for several weeks or even months and may disappear temporarily before returning.

Unlike some foodborne illnesses that cause symptoms within hours or days, Cyclospora infections can be more difficult to trace because symptoms may not appear immediately after exposure. That delay can make it challenging for patients to remember exactly what they ate before becoming sick.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which works with the CDC on investigations involving contaminated produce and food suppliers, identifies fresh produce as a known potential source of Cyclospora contamination and provides food safety guidance.

Investigation Continues Across Multiple States

Health officials continue investigating additional suspected cases as they work to determine whether more illnesses are connected to the contaminated lettuce.

The parasite does not typically spread directly from one person to another because it must spend time in the environment before becoming infectious. That makes identifying the contaminated food source an important part of stopping an outbreak.

Because Cyclospora infections can be difficult to diagnose without specific laboratory testing, people experiencing prolonged watery diarrhea or other symptoms after a possible exposure are encouraged to contact a healthcare provider.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health also monitors and investigates cases of cyclosporiasis in Oklahoma as part of statewide disease surveillance, working with federal agencies when illnesses may be connected to multistate outbreaks.

For now, the CDC warning specifically applies to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, while investigators continue working to determine the full reach of the outbreak.

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