America has been hit by an outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in several states, with the popular fast-food chain Taco Bell coming under investigation. In order to reduce the risk, some Taco Bell locations have temporarily halted the supply of ingredients such as lettuce, avocado sauce, and other items, as health officials work to determine if the outbreak is linked to the food served.
Recently, multiple Taco Bell stores in Detroit, Michigan announced that they have suspended the supply of ingredients including lettuce, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo, and avocado sauce due to a “nationwide recall” initiative. Two sources familiar with the investigation revealed to The Washington Post that federal and state health authorities are looking into whether Taco Bell is the source of the infection outbreak.
Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that is typically spread through water sources contaminated with human feces or fresh produce such as lettuce, salad, cilantro, berries, etc. It can enter the body through food consumption, leading to gastrointestinal illnesses and even prolonged weeks of diarrhea.
The number of cases continues to rise in various parts of the United States, with Michigan reporting over 2,600 cases. The Associated Press has pointed out that this outbreak has become one of the largest Cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the state’s history and one of the rare major outbreaks in the United States in recent years.
In a statement to Fox News, Taco Bell stated: “The health and safety of our customers are our top priority. At present, health authorities have not confirmed any connection between this outbreak and Taco Bell, specific ingredients, suppliers, restaurants, or retailers. As a precautionary measure, the company has temporarily removed some ingredients in certain locations and continues to cooperate with health authorities in their investigation.”
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) stated on Monday (July 13) that the investigation is still ongoing. Current findings suggest that lettuce or salad vegetables may be a potential source of the outbreak, but other food possibilities are not ruled out. It is still unknown which agricultural products, farms, or suppliers may have caused the contamination.
Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., which also owns brands such as KFC and Pizza Hut. With over 8,700 stores worldwide, Taco Bell serves over 40 million customers in the United States each week.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not issued a recall for Taco Bell products or mentioned any direct link between Taco Bell and the current outbreak. As of the time of writing, both the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have not responded to media inquiries.
This article is based on reports from Fox Business News and Forbes.