Iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell linked to cyclospora outbreak in 5 states
The CDC and FDA have issued a warning regarding a cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five U.S. states. Health officials are investigating a supplier, reportedly Taylor Farms, after over 1,600 cases were identified.
Why it matters
Foodborne illness outbreaks in major fast-food chains pose significant public health risks and highlight vulnerabilities in the centralized food supply chain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration advise consumers to avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Health What to know about cyclosporiasis, the intestinal illness hitting the U.S. Health officials analyzed 190 cases of cyclospora in Michigan where a person who fell ill reported eating at Taco Bell. Officials found that 90% of those people said they ate iceberg lettuce.
More than 1,644 sick people in this multi-state cyclospora outbreak reported eating at Taco Bell in those states starting May 13, according to the agencies . There have been 94 hospitalizations and no deaths reported.
The FDA traced this subset of cases identified nationwide to a single supplier of contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico, but did not name the supplier.
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