Key Takeaways
- Federal officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from a single Mexican supplier as the source of Cyclospora infections.
- The affected states include Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- Taylor Farms is reportedly the supplier linked to this outbreak.
Federal health officials have announced that shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants in five U.S. states is a source of Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite responsible for widespread cases of explosive, watery diarrhea.
The affected states are Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A traceback investigation identified a single supplier in Mexico as the source of iceberg lettuce linked to sick individuals who reported eating at Taco Bell restaurants. However, the name of this supplier has not been publicly disclosed.
Sources told The Washington Post that Taylor Farms is implicated in this outbreak. This company was previously linked to a 2024 multi-state E. coli outbreak involving contaminated onions served at McDonald's and other fast-food chains.
In 2024, FDA inspectors found multiple violations at a Taylor Farms facility in Colorado during an investigation into the E. coli outbreak, highlighting concerns about the company’s food safety practices.
The CDC and FDA are urging consumers who may have consumed iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell to monitor their health for symptoms of cyclosporiasis, which can include diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Health officials recommend that individuals experiencing these symptoms seek medical attention promptly. They also advise restaurants and food service providers to ensure they are sourcing safe and compliant ingredients.
