Taco Bell pulls ingredients off menu as ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite cases surge

Key Points:

• Taco Bell restaurants, including some in Metro Detroit, have temporarily removed fresh ingredients like lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole from their menus due to a nationwide recall linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
• The outbreak, caused by the Cyclospora parasite, has sickened nearly 2,000 people across the US, with Michigan reporting 992 cases—significantly higher than its usual annual count of about 50.
• Other states such as New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Connecticut are also experiencing outbreaks, though the exact source of the parasite remains unidentified.
• Cyclosporiasis causes symptoms including watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue, with some cases involving prolonged and severe bowel movements; most individuals recover without treatment.
• Health officials recommend thoroughly washing fresh produce, cleaning kitchen utensils and surfaces, and cooking raw produce when possible to reduce the risk of infection.