Taco Bell Shredded Lettuce Linked To U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak

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Washington DC: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have officially linked a massive, multi-state parasite outbreak directly to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants.

Health officials traced the source of the Cyclospora contamination to a single supplier of Mexican-grown iceberg lettuce. This ongoing regional outbreak has primarily impacted five states: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

To date, federal investigators have identified more than sixteen hundred laboratory-confirmed cases of the parasitic illness. While ninety-four individuals have been hospitalized due to severe, painful gastrointestinal symptoms, thankfully no deaths have been reported.

In response to the investigation, Taco Bell took immediate action by voluntarily removing the suspected shredded lettuce from its entire national supply chain. The popular fast-food giant is actively working with authorities to replace the impacted ingredient.

The FDA continues to investigate whether this contaminated Mexican lettuce reached other food distributors. Meanwhile, public health agencies strongly advise consumers in the affected states to avoid eating shredded lettuce at Taco Bell.