US health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell restaurants in five states as the likely source of a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of people.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday advised consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia while the investigation continues.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced the lettuce to a single supplier. While the agency did not publicly identify the company, a federal official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that the supplier was California-based Taylor Farms.
The CDC said the FDA is working with the supplier to determine whether potentially contaminated lettuce remains on the market and warned that additional restaurants, retailers or distribution channels could be identified as the investigation progresses.
Taco Bell said it has voluntarily removed the potentially affected lettuce from a supplier in select states and is indefinitely removing the ingredient from its supply chain nationwide. The company said replacement lettuce would be supplied to affected locations within 24 hours.
"Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states," the company said in a statement.
The outbreak began in May and has affected more than 30 states, with current case counts exceeding the previous U.S. record of about 4,700 infections reported in 2019. Michigan has reported the largest number of cases, with state officials confirming more than 4,300 infections.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness typically marked by watery diarrhea, cramping and nausea. The infection is generally treated with antibiotics and is not usually life-threatening.