Taco Bell lettuce linked to US cyclospora outbreak as investigators trace source to Taylor Farms

US health officials investigating a widespread outbreak of the parasitic illness cyclosporiasis have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by agricultural company Taylor Farms as a potential source of contamination.

According to the Washington Post (WP), traceback efforts have pointed towards facilities operated by Taylor Farms, one of North America's largest fresh produce suppliers.

The outbreak has sickened thousands of people across the US, with several fast-food chains removing certain ingredients as a precaution while health officials continue investigating the source of the contamination.

Taco Bell emerges as common link in outbreak

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not publicly confirmed a specific brand or supplier as the source, investigators have found a recurring link among many reported cases involving Taco Bell customers.

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A source familiar with the investigation said told WP that a significant number of people who fell ill had eaten at Taco Bell before developing symptoms, with lettuce frequently identified as a common ingredient in their meals.

When investigators traced the supply chain across multiple states, they found connections leading back to Taylor Farms processing facilities.

Outbreak spreads across multiple states

The cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded across the country, with cases reported in at least 34 states.

Michigan has emerged as the worst-affected state, reporting more than 4,300 cases and at least 100 hospitalisations. Other major clusters have been reported in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Health officials expect the number of cases to continue rising through late August, as cyclosporiasis can take time to be diagnosed and reported.

Taco Bell removes lettuce from supply chain

Following the preliminary findings, Taco Bell said it had taken immediate steps to remove potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain.

The company said the decision was made after discussions with public health authorities and was a precautionary measure.

“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.

The chain added that the affected ingredient would be removed nationwide and replaced in selected locations within 24 hours.

Some Taco Bell outlets in the Detroit area had already informed customers that lettuce, onions, pico de gallo and guacamole were temporarily unavailable due to precautionary measures.

Why tracing Cyclospora is difficult

Taylor Farms, headquartered in Salinas, California, is a major supplier of fresh-cut vegetables and packaged salads to restaurants, supermarkets and institutions across North America.

However, experts have cautioned that identifying the exact source of a cyclospora outbreak can be challenging.

Unlike bacterial illnesses such as E coli, cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which spreads through food or water contaminated with human waste.

The parasite has a complex life cycle, making it difficult to detect in environmental samples and trace back to a specific farm or facility.

Public health officials have urged people experiencing symptoms such as persistent watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea or fatigue to seek medical attention.

Cyclosporiasis can usually be treated with a specific course of antibiotics, though symptoms can continue for weeks if left untreated.