Taco Bell Corp. voluntarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precaution during a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Taco Bell Corp. has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure to address a nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis. The fast-food chain issued the statement while public health officials continue to investigate the source of the parasitic infection, which causes symptoms such as cramping, nausea, and "explosive" diarrhea. While the chain did not specify which menu items were affected, several metro Detroit locations stopped selling lettuce and cilantro. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 1,645 cases as of July 13, with over 5,100 additional cases under investigation across 34 states. Michigan has been particularly impacted, reporting more than 2,600 cases. Donald Prater, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Acting Deputy Commissioner for Food, stated that the agency is continuing a traceback investigation on multiple produce items. Although lettuce and salad greens are potential sources, officials have not yet confirmed a specific link to Taco Bell or a single supplier.