ATLANTA — Health officials in the U.S. have traced a cyclospora outbreak, causing diarrhea, to Mexican-sourced lettuce served at Taco Bell in five states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning late Thursday advising against the consumption of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell outlets in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Cyclospora cases have surged in over 30 states, and experts caution that not all recent illnesses in the U.S. may stem from a singular source.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has pinpointed a single supplier for this lettuce. While the federal notice did not name the supplier, Taylor Fresh Foods from Salinas, California, confirmed that FDA tests pointed to “a specific independent farm” associated with them.
The FDA is collaborating with the supplier to ascertain if any potentially tainted shredded iceberg lettuce is still available in the market, including other states. According to the CDC, Taco Bell has pledged to discontinue using lettuce from the supplier identified by the FDA’s investigation.
Taylor Farms, previously linked to foodborne outbreaks, announced on Friday afternoon its decision to voluntarily withdraw all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
“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,” the statement said.
Taco Bell says it will use a different supplier
The CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states are actively investigating a multistate cyclospora outbreak.
The illness, although rarely life-threatening, is typically treated with antibiotics.
Before the federal confirmation on Thursday, Taco Bell announced it had already taken proactive measures to remove potentially affected lettuce from a supplier in certain states. The ingredient in question will be permanently removed from their supply chain nationwide and replaced within 24 hours in select states.
It’s possible other businesses could be linked to the outbreak
Federal health officials have indicated that other brands, restaurants, or distribution channels might also be connected to the outbreak as investigations continue.
In Michigan, investigators are exploring whether the lettuce was distributed to other restaurants or stores since many affected individuals reported not eating at Taco Bell, according to state health officials.
Michigan health officials noted there is no evidence the outbreak is linked to improper food handling or preparation at any specific restaurant or fast-food chain.
Consequently, they recommend consumers buy whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits. Taylor Fresh Foods clarified that their branded salad kits do not contain iceberg lettuce.
Previous outbreaks associated with the company involved products sold under different brand names.
Cyclospora cases have been rising for years
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that often leads to watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements, according to the CDC. Outbreaks typically occur in the late spring and summer.
The parasite thrives in warm conditions, infecting the intestines and spreading through feces. In the past, infections occurred when people consumed fruits or vegetables exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water.
Cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by cyclospora, is less common than other foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli. For years, few cyclospora outbreaks were reported in the U.S., but the number has been rising over the past decade, with significant increases in 2018 and 2019.
In 2019, the U.S. saw about 4,700 cases of cyclosporiasis. The current outbreak has surpassed that figure, with Michigan reporting over 5,000 cases, and more than 2,000 additional probable and suspected cases in other states.
While no deaths have been reported, Michigan authorities report over 100 hospitalizations, with federal officials noting dozens more in other states.
Experts attribute the rise in cases to climate change and improved detection methods. They also suggest that cyclospora cases were historically underreported for several reasons.
Some common food poisoning tests do not detect cyclospora. Additionally, technicians cannot cultivate the parasite in labs, complicating evidence collection from contaminated produce. Furthermore, identifying a common food source can be challenging, especially if it involves a single ingredient found in multiple recipes, like basil or cilantro.
Taco Bell and Taylor Farms have been tied to past outbreaks
The FDA’s traceback identified a single supplier of Mexican iceberg lettuce used by Taco Bell locations where affected individuals had eaten, according to federal officials.
The Mexican food chain has previously been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks.
Taylor Farms was also associated with a 2013 cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to salad mix and a 2024 E. coli outbreak linked to onions served at McDonald’s.
— Bill Barrow and Mike Stobbe
Stobbe reported from New York.
