Taco Bell lettuce linked to explosive diarrhoea outbreak in US
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis in five US states has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants. The supplier, Taylor Fresh Foods, has recalled the affected lettuce, and health officials are continuing their investigation.
Why it matters
Foodborne illness outbreaks pose significant public health risks and highlight the complexities of supply chain safety in the food industry.
Shredded iceberg lettuce sold at some Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis in five US states, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration say.
Taylor Fresh Foods, which supplied the lettuce, said Friday (US time) that it's removing all of its iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the US market.
"Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia," the CDC said in its investigation update late Thursday.
Taco Bell said Friday that it has removed Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants and its nationwide supply chain.
Cases of the intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite are surging across the US, with nearly 7000 cases confirmed or under investigation since 1 May, according to data published Tuesday by the CDC.
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