Federal health officials say they have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants as the source of a multistate outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal illness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lettuce was supplied to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration traced the product to a single supplier in Mexico, although the company has not been publicly identified.
As part of the investigation, Taco Bell has agreed to stop using lettuce from the supplier while federal officials determine whether any potentially contaminated product remains in the marketplace.
The outbreak has sickened people in more than 30 states this year, with reported cases now exceeding the previous U.S. record set in 2019. Health officials say most patients recover with antibiotic treatment, and the illness is rarely life threatening.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the digestive tract and typically causes prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Symptoms can last for weeks if left untreated.
Investigators believe the parasite is spread through food or water contaminated with human waste. Fresh produce, including leafy vegetables and herbs, has been linked to previous outbreaks.
Cyclospora infections are most common during the warmer months of the year. Health experts say reported cases have increased over the past decade, due in part to improved testing methods and greater surveillance, though environmental factors may also be contributing to the rise.
Anyone who recently ate at an affected Taco Bell location and develops persistent diarrhea or other symptoms is encouraged to contact a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.