Federal and state health agencies are examining whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in a massive cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan, according to two anonymous sources familiar with the probe who spoke to The Washington Post. The investigation focuses on whether specific Taco Bell locations contributed to the spread of the gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite.
In recent days, signs appeared at Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants notifying customers that the locations could not serve lettuce, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo, or guacamole due to a national recall. Neither Taco Bell, its parent company Yum! Brands, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, nor the Department of Health and Human Services immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the situation.
The FDA has not announced a recall involving Taco Bell, and its website does not include any public notice mentioning Taco Bell in connection with the outbreak. The source of the outbreak has not been definitively identified, and no deaths have been reported.
Cyclosporiasis cases are rising across America, with more than 2,600 cases reported in Michigan. This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan's history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press. The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery, explosive diarrhea.
A press release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services stated that current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out. No specific type of produce, grower, or supplier has been identified as the source.
Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky. Yum! Brands also owns KFC, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger & Grill. Taco Bell operates more than 8,700 locations worldwide and serves more than 40 million customers each week in the United States.
