INDIANA – A multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at select Taco Bell restaurants, with health officials investigating an estimated 7,000 illnesses nationwide.
According to investigators, more than 1,644 people who became ill reported eating shredded lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The outbreak remains under investigation as federal and state health officials work to determine whether additional food sources may also be involved.
Taco Bell said it has voluntarily removed potentially affected lettuce supplied to restaurants in the impacted states.
“Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states,” the company said in a statement.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration traced the contaminated lettuce to a supplier in Mexico but has not publicly identified the company. Multiple news organizations, including The Associated Press and The Washington Post, have reported that officials identified Taylor Farms as the supplier. The company has not publicly commented on the reports.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness most commonly associated with watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include nausea, fatigue, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, and flu-like symptoms.
Health officials cautioned that it has not yet been determined whether the Taco Bell lettuce is responsible for every reported case nationwide. Fresh produce such as cilantro, raspberries, and snow peas has been linked to previous Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States and Canada.
Experts say investigators are still determining whether the current illnesses stem from a single widespread outbreak or multiple outbreaks occurring at the same time.
Residents in the five affected states are advised not to consume shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations while the investigation continues. Public health officials have not recommended avoiding lettuce from other sources.
Officials also recommend following standard food safety practices, including washing hands before preparing food and rinsing fresh produce under running water. Because the parasite can survive routine washing, cooking foods to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit is considered effective in killing Cyclospora.
Anyone experiencing persistent watery diarrhea or other symptoms associated with cyclosporiasis should contact a healthcare provider. The illness can be confirmed through a stool test and is typically treated with prescription antibiotics.
