Iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell linked to Cyclospora outbreak
A Cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. Midwest has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to some Taco Bell restaurants. Health officials are investigating the surge in cases, which has reached record levels for this parasite.
Why it matters
This represents a significant public health concern regarding food safety and supply chain contamination in the restaurant industry.
Shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and sold at some Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis , a source familiar with the investigation told CNN Thursday.
The Washington Post also reports that two sources familiar with the matter also say lettuce sold at some of the popular restaurant's locations have been linked to the outbreak.
Cases of the intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite are surging across the U.S., with nearly 7,000 cases confirmed or under investigation since May 1, according to data published Tuesday by the CDC. Confirmed cases alone are more than six times higher than they were at this time last year, and there have been at least 141 hospitalizations.
The outbreak linked to the lettuce, however, is considered to be a regional one, centered in the Midwest.
Related video below: Outbreak drives shoppers to seek out local lettuce
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