Taco Bell Removes Lettuce in Five US States After Parasite Outbreak Sickens Over 1,600
US fast-food chain Taco Bell has removed shredded iceberg lettuce from its menu in several states after investigations linked the ingredient to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes severe diarrhoea. The decision, described by the company as taken 'out of an abundance of caution,' follows discussions with health officials.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1,645 people across five states who had exposure to Taco Bell have been infected with cyclosporiasis. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that 94 people have been hospitalised due to the infections, which were first detected on 13 May. No deaths have been reported.
The FDA specifically advised consumers not to eat food items containing shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Taco Bell stated that lettuce from one of its suppliers is being removed indefinitely and will be replaced. The company did not identify which states would see lettuce removed, but most infections have been reported in Michigan, where over 3,300 cases have been detected.
Taco Bell did not name the supplier linked to the outbreak, but US media identified it as Taylor Farms in Mexico. Taylor Farms voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the US market, stating that FDA tracking pointed to one of its independent farms as the potential source.
Cyclosporiasis spreads through contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically appear about two weeks after exposure and include watery diarrhoea lasting several days, sudden weight loss, and loss of appetite. Health experts note that the parasite is difficult to trace, a challenge possibly exacerbated by cuts to federal health agencies.
