Lettuce supplied to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms has been linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting 34 states, according to multiple reports. Federal and Michigan officials began investigating the fast-food chain earlier this week, with reports of Taylor Farms's involvement first emerging on Thursday evening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded at least 1,645 cases of cyclosporiasis this year, which is significantly higher than the year-to-date number from the previous year.
Cyclosporiasis is a nonfatal gastrointestinal illness characterized by severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, nausea, and fatigue, typically contracted through contaminated food or water. Taco Bell announced it has removed potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain, stating that the ingredient will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.
As of Thursday, over 4,300 cases had been reported in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC noted that state agencies would have the most up-to-date data due to a reporting lag. At least 141 people have been hospitalized nationally with the illness. Affected Taco Bell locations have been identified in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. An anonymous source indicated that a high percentage of those who fell ill had consumed lettuce at Taco Bell.