Michigan couple sues Taco Bell, Taylor Farms over Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce

Key Points:

• A Michigan couple, Preston and Marie Parrish, filed a federal lawsuit against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms, alleging they became seriously ill with cyclosporiasis after eating contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce at a Taco Bell restaurant on June 30.
• The lawsuit claims the lettuce was contaminated due to unsafe growing or processing conditions and was supplied by Taylor Farms, seeking damages exceeding $75,000 along with attorney fees and other costs.
• The multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell shredded lettuce has resulted in over 1,600 confirmed illnesses across five states, including Michigan, with about 94 hospitalizations but no reported deaths.
• The complaint alleges Taylor Farms had prior knowledge of Cyclospora contamination risks from previous outbreaks, and that Taco Bell exercised control over its food suppliers, approving Taylor Farms as a vendor.
• The Parrishes seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost enjoyment of life; neither defendant had responded to the lawsuit as of July 21, and the allegations remain unproven in court.