News summary produced by Claude AI
Taco Bell announced it is withdrawing lettuce from restaurant locations in multiple states after health officials identified a connection between the product and a parasitic infection outbreak. The fast-food chain stated the action was taken as a precautionary measure following consultations with health authorities regarding the public health situation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection transmitted through contaminated food or water, has affected 1,645 individuals across five states with documented exposure to Taco Bell locations. The US Food and Drug Administration issued guidance advising consumers to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. According to FDA statements, the first infections were detected on 13 May, and 94 patients have required hospitalization as a result of the illness, though no fatalities have been recorded.
Taco Bell indicated that lettuce sourced from one of its suppliers will be removed from its supply chain indefinitely and replaced with alternative sources. The company emphasized that food safety represents a collective responsibility shared among restaurants, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. While the specific states where lettuce will be removed from menus were not explicitly identified by the restaurant, the majority of reported infections have been concentrated in Michigan, which has documented more than 3,300 cases.
Though the company did not disclose the origin of the affected lettuce, media reports have identified the supplier as Taylor Farms. Cyclosporiasis infections typically present symptoms approximately two weeks after exposure, with manifestations including prolonged watery diarrhea, acute weight loss, and diminished appetite. Experts have noted the difficulty in tracing the parasite’s source, with some attributing additional challenges to reductions in federal health agency resources and funding.