Public-health investigators are focusing on a California-based salad producer as a possible source of a large cyclosporiasis outbreak after hundreds of people across several states fell ill this summer.
What officials say
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have traced shredded iceberg lettuce tied to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia to a single supplier, according to agency findings reported by multiple outlets. Sources identified that supplier as Taylor Farms, a major producer of packaged salads and fresh-cut produce with operations in the Salinas Valley and elsewhere.
Public health authorities say the Taco Bell–linked cluster includes more than 1,600 reported illnesses and 94 hospitalizations. Officials are also investigating additional cyclosporiasis reports across 34 Midwestern and Eastern states that appear to be unrelated to the Taco Bell cluster.
Industry and retailer responses
Taco Bell said it has voluntarily removed the affected lettuce from some locations and is replacing the ingredient in selected states. The company asked customers in the five-state cluster to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce from its restaurants.
"We have taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states. The affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states."
Neither Taylor Farms nor the FDA immediately provided comment to news outlets, according to reporting.
What cyclosporiasis is and why it matters
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and typically produces prolonged, watery diarrhea that can be debilitating. People infected often experience additional symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue. The illness is usually linked to contaminated fresh produce and can affect large numbers of people when a widely distributed product is implicated.
Health officials use traceback investigations to identify the point in the supply chain where contamination likely occurred. In this case, the FDA said traceback pointed to iceberg lettuce from a single supplier in Mexico that was distributed to Taco Bell restaurants in the affected states.
Practical information for California residents
- Avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia until officials clear the product; the CDC warned residents in those states specifically.
- If you develop persistent diarrhea after eating at a Taco Bell or consuming similar prepackaged lettuce, seek medical care and tell your provider about the food exposure so they can test for Cyclospora.
- Restaurants and retailers should follow FDA guidance on supplier verification and product recalls as traceback investigations continue.
Taylor Farms is a large supplier with production facilities across North America and Europe. The company has been linked to cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the past, according to reporting, which places heightened scrutiny on its operations while federal investigators continue their work.
| Key figures | Reported total |
|---|---|
| Illnesses in Taco Bell cluster | 1,600+ |
| Hospitalizations | 94 |
| States in Taco Bell cluster | 5 (IN, KY, MI, OH, WV) |
| Other states with unrelated reports | 34 |
Federal, state and local health agencies are continuing interviews, laboratory testing and supply-chain review. Residents with questions should consult state and local public-health departments for the latest guidance.
Reporting for this article relied on statements from the CDC, FDA and Taco Bell as reported by multiple national outlets and public-health briefings identifying a single-supplier traceback for affected iceberg lettuce. Further details will depend on ongoing federal and state investigations.
