According to the FDA, investigators have traced the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Source: Food and Drug Administration
Cover Photo Caption: Microscopic view of an oocyst of Cyclospora cayetanensis stained with safranin (SAF). The FDA is investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell locations. (Illustrative recreation based on reference photomicrograph.)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants, while Taco Bell says it has completed removing the affected product from its restaurants nationwide.
A microscopic parasite called Cyclospora is making headlines as it causes the illnesses cyclosporiasis in people across the U.S. The important thing to know is cyclosporiasis is treatable and there are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk. (Image courtesy FDA)
According to the FDA, investigators have traced the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and informed the FDA that it would initiate a recall. The agency said its investigation remains ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Map Courtesy Food and Drug Administration
In a statement issued Friday, Taco Bell said it had completed removal of the affected Taylor Farms lettuce from all of its restaurants as of July 17. The company said the ingredient has also been removed from its nationwide supply chain “out of an abundance of caution” while the FDA investigation continues.
The FDA advises consumers not to eat food containing shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia if it came from the implicated supplier. The agency noted that not every Taco Bell restaurant in those states received the affected lettuce, and additional states or distribution channels could be identified as the investigation progresses.
Federal health officials reported that, as of July 16, 1,644 laboratory-confirmed illnesses associated with the outbreak had been identified across the five affected states. The illnesses began between May 13 and July 13, resulting in 94 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that commonly causes diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and fatigue. The FDA recommends anyone experiencing symptoms after eating shredded iceberg lettuce from affected Taco Bell locations contact a healthcare provider. Consumers should also thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that came into contact with the lettuce.
The FDA said its traceback investigation remains active and is working with state partners and the supplier to determine whether any potentially contaminated product remains in distribution.
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