Taco Bell Faces Federal Investigation as Parasite Outbreak Sickens Thousands
Federal and state health officials are investigating whether Taco Bell played a role in one of the largest cyclosporiasis outbreaks in recent U.S. history. Two people familiar with the Taco Bell parasite outbreak investigation told The Washington Post that officials have now linked shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to the chain by Taylor Farms as a potential source. The outbreak has sickened thousands of people and sent more than 100 to the hospital.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. It spreads through food or water contaminated with feces, most often on fresh produce like lettuce, herbs, or berries.
The illness causes watery diarrhea that can come and go for weeks, along with bloating, fatigue, nausea, and a low-grade fever. According to the CDC’s official cyclosporiasis surveillance data, the disease is rarely fatal, though some infections require hospitalization.
How big is the Taco Bell parasite outbreak?
As of July 13, the CDC had confirmed 1,645 lab-verified domestic cases across 34 states. More than 5,100 additional cases were still under review, pushing the combined total close to 7,000, nearly seven times higher than the 249 cases reported by the same date last year.
Michigan has been hit hardest. State health officials reported 4,312 cases and 102 hospitalizations as of July 16, more than 85 times the state’s typical annual average of 40 to 50 cases.
Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky have reported a shared cluster of more than 400 cases that the CDC believes may trace back to a common food source. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, has called the scale of the increase “highly unusual.”
Taco Bell pulls ingredients as scrutiny grows
As investigators worked to pin down the source, Taco Bell voluntarily removed lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole from select restaurants. Some locations posted signs telling customers the items were unavailable “due to a nationwide recall.”
Washington Post reporting that identified Taylor Farms as the lettuce supplier said CDC and FDA investigators linked the company’s shredded iceberg lettuce to the outbreak at Taco Bell restaurants. Michigan officials have separately said lettuce or salad greens remain a leading suspect, though the state has not confirmed a specific grower or supplier.
Taco Bell has not confirmed a connection to the outbreak. In a statement, the company said public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant, or retailer, and that it removed the items as a precautionary measure while continuing to monitor the situation.
Other chains on alert, and a lawsuit
The scrutiny has also rattled Taco Bell’s parent company. Shares of Yum Brands fell more than 3% in the days after the investigation became public, according to Restaurant Business Online, since Taco Bell reportedly accounts for nearly 40% of the company’s operating profit.
Chipotle moved to distance itself. Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer Laurie Schalow said in an emailed statement that the company does not believe its ingredients are associated with the outbreak, though it continues to monitor the situation.
At least one lawsuit has already been filed. An Ohio man is suing a Taco Bell franchisee, saying the illness left him unable to function normally, while investigators say they have also interviewed people who got sick despite never eating at the chain.
Health officials say the investigation is ongoing and case counts are still climbing in several states. Cyclosporiasis season in the U.S. typically runs through the end of August, so officials expect more cases before it’s over. In the meantime, doctors are urging anyone with persistent watery diarrhea to ask specifically for a Cyclospora test, since routine stool exams often miss the parasite.
