An outbreak of food poisoning linked to Taco Bell has affected over 1,600 individuals.
Health authorities in the United States have advised residents in five states to refrain from consuming shredded iceberg lettuce following an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water.
Confirmed cases of infections tied to Taco Bell outlets have reached 1,645 across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, with 94 individuals requiring hospitalization.
The US Food and Drug Administration cautioned against consuming food items containing shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in the specified states.
Cyclosporiasis can lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea, with effects sometimes manifesting after two weeks. Although 1,645 cases are linked to Taco Bell, nearly 7,000 people nationwide have been affected by the broader outbreak, as reported by NBC News.
Taco Bell stated that it had proactively removed lettuce supplied by a vendor in the impacted states, without disclosing the supplier’s identity.
The company mentioned, “In consultation with health authorities and as a precautionary measure, Taco Bell has promptly removed potentially affected lettuce from a supplier in select states.”
It further added, “The implicated ingredient from our supplier is being permanently withdrawn from our nationwide supply chain and will be replaced within 24 hours in specific states.”
Although the specific states for lettuce removal from menus were not disclosed, Michigan reported the highest number of illnesses, with over 3,300 cases identified since the outbreak began in May. Common symptoms include prolonged watery diarrhea, sudden weight loss, and appetite loss, according to health officials.
Experts noted the challenge in tracing the parasite, citing potential difficulties exacerbated by reductions in federal health agency funding.
Steven Manderach, executive director of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, remarked to the BBC, “Detecting this parasite is like finding a microscopic portion of a needle in a haystack, not a straightforward task.”
