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Cyclosporiasis: officials looking at Taco Bell lettuce supplier as potential source of outbreak
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal health officials are investigating iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, supplied to Taco Bell, as a potential source of a widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak causing severe diarrheal illness across the US.
- Taco Bell has voluntarily removed the potentially impacted lettuce from its supply chain nationwide and replaced it in select states, urging other foodservice operators to take similar precautionary measures despite no official advisory being issued.
- The CDC has confirmed 1,645 lab-confirmed cases with 145 hospitalizations, noting a backlog of 5,100 cases under analysis and warning that actual infections are likely higher due to mild cases going unreported.
- The outbreak is linked to cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, with investigations focusing on lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in affected states.
- The Trump administration has faced criticism over cuts to federal food safety programs, but White House officials maintain these reductions have not impacted the government’s response to the outbreak.
