Federal health officials have linked shredded iceberg lettuce sold at various Taco Bell locations to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The impacted states include Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised against consuming food items containing lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico at these locations.
Cases Across the U.S.
The spread of cyclosporiasis has been reported in at least 34 states, with Michigan being the most affected. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reported 5,002 cases, including 102 hospitalizations. Ohio has documented 1,192 cases with 86 hospitalizations. Similarly, New York has recorded 517 cases.
The CDC reported 1,645 confirmed cases as of mid-July, all in people who had recently consumed food within the U.S. but had not traveled abroad. The agency continues to examine over 5,100 additional cases to verify them as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.
Outbreak Linked to Taylor Farms
The FDA’s investigation points to Taylor Farms de Mexico as the supplier of the infected lettuce used by Taco Bell. In response, Taylor Fresh Foods has voluntarily withdrawn all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
In a statement, Taylor Fresh Foods emphasized their concern for those affected and mentioned the company’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of their produce. Taco Bell, in coordination with public health officials, has removed potentially contaminated lettuce from their restaurants nationwide.
Extended Investigation
Investigators are considering the possibility of the outbreak affecting other brands, restaurants, and distribution channels. Michigan health officials are exploring whether the implicated lettuce also reached other dining establishments, as many afflicted individuals did not eat at Taco Bell.
The public is advised to buy whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed or pre-packaged salads due to potential contamination risks.
Patient Experiences
Chase Strangio, who contracted the parasite after eating lettuce, shared with Newsweek the debilitating symptoms he experienced. These included severe stomach cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss, and persistent fatigue, requiring hospitalization for dehydration.
Strangio, now recovered, still experiences anxiety regarding consuming uncooked food.
CDC Advice
The CDC encourages individuals with symptoms like watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss to seek medical testing for cyclosporiasis. Symptoms can appear within one to two weeks of ingestion and may linger without treatment.
Precautionary measures include rinsing produce, being wary of pre-washed options, avoiding cross-contamination, and cooking produce to at least 158°F (70°C) to eliminate any threat of the parasite.
Discrepancies in Case Numbers
The CDC’s reported figures differ from some state-level data. The CDC includes only laboratory-confirmed cases while state data may account for both probable and confirmed cases, explaining the variance in reported numbers.