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Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 states confirmed as a source of diarrhea-causing parasite
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- The FDA investigation identified Taylor Farms of Salinas, California, as the single supplier of potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak, though the agency has not officially named the company.
- Over 30 states have reported cyclospora infections this year, surpassing the previous U.S. record of about 4,700 cases set in 2019; the illness causes watery diarrhea and is typically treated with antibiotics.
- Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution and committed to stop using lettuce from the implicated supplier.
- Cyclospora is a parasite spread through feces-contaminated produce, with outbreaks commonly occurring in late spring and summer; experts believe rising cases are due to climate change and improved detection methods.
- Taylor Farms has been previously linked to foodborne outbreaks, including a 2013 cyclosporiasis outbreak from salad mix and a 2024 E. coli outbreak from onions served at McDonald's.
