Taco Bell removing lettuce from some stores amid cyclosporiasis scare

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Taco Bell announced on Thursday that it would remove lettuce from some of its stores following reports that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened an investigation into iceberg lettuce supplied to the fast-food chain as a possible source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S.

“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 Thursday statement.

This stomach bug causes weeks of diarrhea and has been identified in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Monday, 400 people in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky have reported cyclosporiasis infections to the CDC.

State health officials have reported far higher numbers, with Michigan Health and Human Services Department reporting 4,312 cases as of Thursday.

The CDC said that FDA investigators are interviewing affected people to narrow down which foods they had eaten prior to getting sick.

The public health organization noted that “a specific food item has not been confirmed” as the source of this outbreak.

“While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests,” the company said. “Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same.”

Cyclosporiasis is rarely fatal but can cause severe illness and sometimes requires hospitalization. The CDC is urging the public to contact their healthcare provider if they develop the virus’ symptoms and contact public health officials if they are confirmed to be infected.

The Hill has reached out to the FDA about its reported investigation into Taco Bell supplier Taylor Farms.

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