A source familiar with the investigation has revealed that shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and sold at some Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis. The outbreak, which has been centered in the Midwest, has resulted in at least 400 cases across four states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Outbreak Details
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the outbreak is linked to the consumption of contaminated food or water. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, and people can become infected by consuming contaminated produce. The CDC has reported nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, with 141 hospitalizations.
Taylor Farms, the supplier of the lettuce, has not yet responded to requests for comment. Taco Bell has voluntarily removed some ingredients from its menu at select restaurants as a precautionary measure.
The Michigan state health department has reported more than 4,300 cases of cyclospora during the outbreak investigation. The department has interviewed over 1,000 people as part of its investigation and had previously noted that lettuce or salad greens may be a potential source for the outbreak.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
