Taco Bell announced on July 16 that it is removing all iceberg lettuce from its supply chain and replacing it with a different source. This action follows an investigation by federal health officials who connected an outbreak of cyclosporiasis to a single supplier of the vegetable.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are advising consumers to avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The agencies identified this specific subset of cases as epidemiologically related to the contaminated product.
Data from Michigan shows that health officials analyzed 190 cyclospora cases where patients reported eating at Taco Bell. Ninety percent of those individuals stated they had consumed iceberg lettuce. Nationwide, more than 1,644 people in the affected states reported getting sick after eating at the restaurant starting May 13. The outbreak has resulted in 94 hospitalizations, with no deaths reported.
The FDA traced the contaminated lettuce to a single supplier in Mexico but did not disclose the company's name. The agency is working with the supplier to determine where else the product was distributed. While this represents one large cluster, cases have been identified in 34 states, and officials note that other clusters may or may not be associated with the same source.
The Associated Press reported that Taylor Farms was the supplier, citing an unnamed federal official. NPR has not independently confirmed this report, and Taylor Farms has not responded to requests for comment. The bagged lettuce industry is dominated by a few large players with extensive supply chains, meaning a single supplier can distribute products to numerous retailers.
Cyclospora is an intestinal parasite contracted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. The CDC advises washing hands and produce thoroughly under running water and cooking food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the parasite. Routine stool tests often do not detect cyclospora, so individuals with symptoms should contact healthcare providers for specific testing.
