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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Taco Bell lettuce identified as source of US diarrhea outbreak

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • US health officials identified lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants as a source of a widespread outbreak of the parasite cyclospora.
  • The outbreak has affected over 30 US states, with Michigan reporting a significant number of cases and hospitalizations.
  • The supplier, Taylor Fresh Foods, is voluntarily removing iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the US market.

US health officials have pinpointed shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants across five states as a source of a widespread outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite that causes debilitating diarrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on Thursday, advising consumers against eating the lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

The current outbreak has surpassed previous records, with cases reported in more than 30 US states. While experts note that not all illnesses may stem from a single source, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation has identified one lettuce supplier. The FDA is collaborating with this supplier to ascertain if any potentially contaminated lettuce remains available on the market.

Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by the FDA's traceback investigation

— CDC statementThe CDC noted Taco Bell's commitment regarding the identified lettuce supplier.

Taco Bell has pledged to cease using lettuce from the supplier identified by the FDA. The supplier, Taylor Fresh Foods of Salinas, California, stated that FDA testing pointed to a specific independent farm in Mexico affiliated with the company. Taylor Farms is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the US market.

Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite, typically causes severe watery diarrhea. It infects the bowels and spreads through feces, often through contaminated fruits or vegetables. While usually not life-threatening and treatable with antibiotics, the number of reported cases has been rising over the past decade, with the current surge far exceeding the previous peak in 2019. Michigan, seemingly the epicenter, has reported over 5,000 cases, including around 100 hospitalizations. Experts attribute the increasing trend to climate change and improved detection methods.

As a family-owned and -operated company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the many Americans whose trust in the safety of their fresh produce has been shaken

— Taylor Farms statementTaylor Farms expressed concern for those affected by the outbreak and the impact on consumer trust.
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Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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