Federal health officials have linked a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Reports 4,312 Cyclosporiasis Cases
Outbreak Scope and Regional Impact
The current outbreak has hit the Midwest particularly hard, with Michigan reporting a significant surge in cases. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the number of confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in the state reached 4,312 as of Thursday morning, marking an increase of 1,003 cases since Tuesday, July 14. This total represents more than four times the amount of reported cases since the previous week. State officials have recorded 102 hospitalizations in Michigan alone.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to investigate, the outbreak is considered a regional event centered in the Midwest. Data cited by CNN showed at least 141 hospitalizations across the affected states, though no deaths have been reported. Confirmed cases alone are more than six times higher than they were at this time last year. In Michigan, health officials stated they interviewed more than 1,000 people during the course of the investigation.
Taco Bell Removes Shredded Iceberg Lettuce From Supply Chain
Taco Bell Supply Chain and FDA Investigation
The FDA’s investigation has identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. In response to the federal and state investigations, Taco Bell took action by removing potentially impacted lettuce and other ingredients. The company stated that it had voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients
in select states.
Additionally, Taco Bell indicated that the affected ingredient from its supplier is being indefinitely removed from its supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states. Despite these operational changes, a spokesperson for Taco Bell stated that public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer.
For more on this story, see Authorities investigate Taco Bell and lettuce as cyclosporiasis outbreak surges.
Health Recommendations and Uncertainties
The investigation remains fluid. While federal authorities have linked the lettuce to the outbreak, state officials in Michigan have been cautious about the definitive nature of the findings. The Michigan state health department stated it cannot say with certainty that every illness is linked to the same source of exposure,
even as it described a concentrated, sharp increase in cases and noted that the evidence strongly suggests that the vast majority of these illnesses are associated with the same outbreak.
According to the Michigan Department of Health, no specific type of produce, grower, or supplier has been identified as the source, and other food items cannot be completely ruled out.
For individuals concerned about potential infection, the MDHHS has released specific recommendations to reduce risk:
- Focus on lettuce and salad greens: Purchase whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits.
- Discard outer layers: Before preparation, throw away the outer two to three layers of leaves.
- Wash inner leaves: Thoroughly wash the remaining inner leaves under clean running water.
- Prioritize cooking: For any greens that can be cooked, heating food to a temperature of at least 158 F (70 C) is the safest option, as the parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal.
MDHHS Advises Cooking Greens to 158 Degrees Fahrenheit to Eliminate Parasites
Previous outbreaks have been linked to bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions. Officials emphasize that peeling is highly effective for food items with removable skin, as the parasite sits on the outer surface. As federal agencies continue to trace the source, the investigation into the origins of the contamination continues.
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