Taco Bell has released an official statement and responded to a lawsuit filed by an Ohio resident after federal health officials connected shredded iceberg lettuce served at some of its restaurants to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak.
According to the FDA’s July 16 update, the outbreak involves people in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia who were infected with Cyclospora and reported eating at Taco Bell. The agency said 1,644 cases have been reported across those five states, including 94 hospitalizations and no deaths.
Taco Bell Issued a Statement and Removed Impacted Lettuce
Taco Bell says it has been talking with public health officials and has started removing potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states.
“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 company said. “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.”
The chain also said it sees public health as something restaurants, suppliers, and authorities all share responsibility for. “While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests,” Taco Bell said. “Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same.”
The FDA said its investigation traced the implicated iceberg lettuce to “single supplier” from Mexico. Many news outlets have since reported that the supplier is Taylor Farms, citing unnamed sources familiar with the investigation.
Taco Bell and Taylor Farms Respond to Ohio Lawsuits
Three Ohio residents are now suing Taco Bell, alleging they became sick after eating at the restaurant as a cyclospora outbreak continues to spread.
As Dexerto reports, according to NewsNation affiliate WJW, food safety attorney Bill Marler has filed lawsuits on behalf of a Youngstown man, a North Olmsted man and, most recently, an Ashtabula County woman. The lawsuits also name Taylor Farms, Taco Bell’s lettuce supplier, alleging that contaminated lettuce caused the illnesses. Marler said the Midwest has become the center of the current outbreak.
After the first lawsuit was filed, Taco Bell issued the following statement: “We take your health and safety seriously,” the company wrote, “and have removed all affected Taylor Farms lettuce from Taco Bell stores. So go ahead and enjoy your Taco Bell today. You always got us. We always got you. See you in the drive-thru.”
The day before Taco Bell’s statement, the FDA warned the public to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations across Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Taylor Farms subsequently confirmed it has launched a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
“While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm, which represents less than 1% of the U.S.’s iceberg lettuce supply, as the potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely,” the company said. It added that it remains “deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the many Americans whose trust in the safety of their fresh produce has been shaken.”
Cyclospora Continues to Spread as Investigations Continue
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. According to the FDA, symptoms can include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, and fatigue. Symptoms can also appear to go away before coming back.
The FDA said it’s still working to determine whether potentially contaminated shredded lettuce remains on the market. For now, it is advising consumers not to eat food items with shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in the affected states, though not every location in those states received the implicated product.
The FDA and CDC are continuing to investigate whether other products may also be contributing to the outbreak. The investigation is still ongoing, and the FDA said more brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels could be identified as officials continue tracing the outbreak. The CDC has confirmed at least 1,644 cases linked to the outbreak and is investigating over 5,100 more, with no deaths reported so far. Michigan has been the hardest hit state, with 102 people hospitalized.
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