FDA: Taco Bell shredded iceberg lettuce linked to multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak

FDA Traces Contamination to Shredded Iceberg Lettuce

On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration linked shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants in five states to an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Specifically, shredded lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia was traced back to a single supplier of iceberg lettuce in Mexico. This supply chain was responsible for 1,644 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases.

Broader Outbreak Across 34 States

The true number of people who have been sickened this summer is likely much higher, and the outbreak extends beyond Taco Bell's shredded lettuce supply.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Cyclospora infections have spread across 34 states since May 1
• As of July 13, the agency had confirmed 1,645 cases and 141 hospitalizations
• No confirmed deaths have been reported
• Michigan has reported more than 4,300 cyclosporiasis cases in that state alone

Michigan health officials stated on Monday that their investigation was also pointing to "lettuce or salad greens" as a potential source of contamination.

Taylor Farms Response

Taylor Farms did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Business Insider. As of Thursday evening, their product recall page listed "no active product recalls" for any Taylor Farms products.

Taylor Farms is one of the largest suppliers of lettuce in the world, serving restaurants, fast food chains, and grocery stores. It is the largest producer of salad greens in North America, supplying:

• Chain restaurants including Chipotle, McDonald's, and Taco Bell
• Major grocery stores including Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe's

The company operates 30 processing facilities across North America. It remains unclear whether this particular outbreak is limited to Taylor Farms chopped lettuces only, or includes other products and brands.

Taco Bell's Response

On Thursday night, Taco Bell issued a statement:

"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 affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states."

Health Recommendations

Health experts have advised consumers to:

• Avoid bagged lettuce and salads until the outbreak is over
• Choose whole heads of lettuce and remove the outer layer of leaves
• Wash all produce thoroughly

However, there is no surefire way to wash cyclospora off produce. The safest option is to cook foods to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cyclospora and Seasonal Trends

Cyclospora thrives in summer heat. Gwen Biggerstaff, the CDC's Deputy Director of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, said Tuesday:

"We anticipate continuing to see cases increase possibly through the end of August, which is the end of the cyclosporiasis season."

Symptoms and Treatment

Cyclosporiasis can take about a week to incubate before people feel sick. Common symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Cramping
• Gas

The illness can last for several weeks if left untreated. A combination antibiotic, Bactrim, can treat it.

Common Sources of Contamination

Pre-washed salad kits and bagged salads from various brands have been identified as common sources of cyclospora contamination in recent years. Cyclosporiasis outbreaks have also been linked to:

• Raspberries
• Snow peas
• Fresh herbs, including cilantro

Challenges in Tracing Outbreaks

Cyclospora outbreaks are notoriously difficult to trace because:

• Symptoms take about a week to develop, making it hard to identify the specific meal or food responsible
• The parasite has more complex genetics than other pathogens like E. coli or salmonella, complicating traceback efforts

Expert Insight on Contamination Sources

Amira Roess, a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University and former CDC "disease detective," said contamination could have been introduced when produce was washed at production facilities or at the farm.

"Typically, it's the contaminated water that is leading to the contaminated produce. In this country, our drinking water is generally not contaminated with parasites. But what is contaminated with parasites is the produce that is exposed to the environmental waters that are contaminated."

Taylor Farms Recall History

Taylor Farms has been involved with other food recalls over the past few years, including recalls of onions and salad kits.