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Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 states confirmed as source causing parasite outbreak
The Boston Globe • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal health officials have traced a widespread cyclospora outbreak causing diarrhea to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- The FDA identified Taylor Farms of Salinas, California, as the single supplier of the contaminated lettuce, and Taco Bell has stopped using lettuce from this 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, with investigations ongoing to identify other possible sources.
- Cyclospora is a parasite causing watery diarrhea, typically spread through feces-contaminated fruits or vegetables, with outbreaks most common in late spring and summer; it is usually treated with antibiotics and is rarely life-threatening.
- Taylor Farms has been linked to previous foodborne outbreaks, including a 2013 cyclospora incident and a 2024 E. coli outbreak, highlighting ongoing concerns about food safety from this supplier.
