Kyle Diamantas confirmed that the largest Cyclospora parasite outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations.

Kyle Diamantas, the FDA Commissioner, confirmed that the largest cluster of Cyclospora parasite infections is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations across five states. The outbreak has impacted thousands of Americans, with the majority of cases reported in Michigan. The administration's health agencies have advised the public to avoid the specific lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. While the FDA initially reported a positive test result from Taylor Farms, the agency later clarified it was a false positive. However, the FDA maintains that the epidemiological data supporting the voluntary recall of lettuce from central Mexico remains overwhelming. Consumer behavior has shifted as a result of the outbreak. Foot traffic at Taco Bell dropped nearly 19% following the official identification of the chain as a source. Other lettuce-heavy chains, including Subway, Chopt, Cava, Chipotle, and Panera Bread, also saw significant declines in visits as customers remained wary of the parasite.

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