Federal health officials have confirmed that shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico, served by Taco Bell locations in five U.S. states, is the source of a widespread outbreak of cyclospora, a diarrhea-causing parasite. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning late Thursday to consumers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, advising them not to eat the affected lettuce.
The outbreak has prompted an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which identified a single supplier responsible for the contaminated lettuce. However, the federal agencies did not disclose the name of the company involved in the supply chain. The CDC has stated that the FDA is collaborating with the supplier to assess whether any potentially contaminated iceberg lettuce is still available in the market, potentially in other states beyond the initial five.
Taco Bell has committed to halting the use of any lettuce sourced from the identified supplier, in accordance with the guidance from the FDA and CDC. Ahead of the federal confirmation, Taco Bell released a statement on Tuesday indicating that it had proactively removed certain ingredients from select restaurants as a safety precaution and pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely, adhering to public health authorities' recommendations.
The investigation into this multistate outbreak of cyclospora infections involves multiple public health officials, including agencies from several states. This year alone, infections have been reported in over 30 states, with the current data indicating that the number of cases has already exceeded the previous U.S. record of approximately 4,700 infections in 2019. While cyclospora infections are not typically life-threatening and can often be treated with antibiotics, the rising number of cases is a significant health concern.
Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite known for causing watery diarrhea, characterized by frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements, as outlined by the CDC. Outbreaks of this parasite are especially prevalent during the late spring and summer months. The pathogen thrives in warm environments and spreads through fecal matter, often contaminating crops that come into contact with contaminated irrigation water.
The illness resulting from cyclospora infection, referred to as cyclosporiasis, is less common than foodborne illnesses caused by other pathogens, such as salmonella and E. coli. Many instances of cyclospora infection are not linked to specific food sources, which has historically led to underreporting. In recent years, however, there has been a marked increase in cases, particularly noted in the outbreaks of 2018 and 2019.
Experts suggest that the rising trend in cyclospora cases may be attributed to improved detection methods and the impact of climate change on food safety. For years, common tests used to diagnose foodborne illnesses did not effectively identify cyclospora, contributing to the lower recorded incidence rates. As awareness and detection capabilities have improved, the number of reported cases has grown significantly.
