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CDC and FDA link lettuce at Taco Bell in five states to cyclospora outbreak
The Guardian • • business
Key Points:
- Federal health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from a single Mexican supplier served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia as the source of a widespread cyclospora outbreak.
- The CDC and FDA are investigating whether contaminated lettuce from this supplier remains on the market, and Taco Bell has stopped using lettuce from the identified supplier as a precaution.
- More than 30 states have reported cyclospora infections this year, surpassing the previous US record of about 4,700 cases set in 2019; the illness causes diarrhea and is typically treated with antibiotics.
- Cyclospora is a parasite that spreads through feces-contaminated food or water, with outbreaks most common in late spring and summer, and cases have increased due to better detection methods and climate change.
- Taco Bell voluntarily removed limited ingredients from select restaurants before the federal confirmation and is monitoring the situation closely while following public health guidance.
