Taco Bell Shifts Lettuce Supply After Cyclospora Outbreak

Taco Bell is making a crucial change to its supply chain. The chain is removing iceberg lettuce after health officials linked an outbreak of cyclosporiasis to a single supplier. This decision follows advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for consumers to avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Health officials analyzed 190 cases of cyclospora in Michigan. Affected individuals reported eating at Taco Bell, with 90% of them having eaten iceberg lettuce. Starting May 13, over 1,644 sick people in multiple states reported eating at Taco Bell. So far, there have been 94 hospitalizations but no deaths.

The FDA traced these cases to a single supplier of contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico. Although the supplier is unnamed, the FDA is working with them to identify other distribution points for the contaminated lettuce. This outbreak is part of a large cluster that is epidemiologically linked, occurring in 34 states.

Taco Bell stated on July 16 that it had “removed potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states.” It also noted that the lettuce would be removed nationwide and replaced within 24 hours.

The Associated Press, citing an unnamed federal official, reported that Taylor Farms supplied the lettuce, though this has not been independently confirmed. The U.S. bagged lettuce and salad industry is dominated by a few large companies, including Taylor Farms. A single supplier can greatly impact multiple retailers, possibly linking additional cyclospora outbreaks to the same supplier. Ongoing investigations by the FDA and CDC aim to clarify the situation.

Protecting Yourself

Symptoms of cyclospora infection include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. This occurs from consuming contaminated food or water. The CDC advises washing hands and fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Cooking food to at least 158 F (70 C) kills the parasite.

Dr. Gwen Biggerstaff from the CDC recommends contacting healthcare providers if symptoms occur, as routine stool tests may not test for cyclospora. Staying hydrated and avoiding food preparation for others when ill is also advised, despite low person-to-person transmission risks.