Iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell linked to cyclospora outbreak

Key Points:

• Shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and sold at certain Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, primarily affecting the Midwest region.
• Since May 1, nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed or are under investigation nationwide, with the CDC reporting a sixfold increase compared to last year and at least 141 hospitalizations.
• The CDC has identified at least 400 cases connected to the outbreak in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, with Michigan reporting over 4,300 cases and suggesting lettuce or salad greens as a likely source.
• Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water, leading to symptoms such as watery diarrhea, cramping, and bloating; it is not typically spread person-to-person.
• Taco Bell has voluntarily removed certain ingredients from some restaurant menus as a precaution while investigations continue, and both Taco Bell and Taylor Farms have yet to comment on the situation.