Cyclospora outbreak traced to iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations across five states. Health officials say the parasite, which triggers explosive diarrhea, infected ↓ 120 individuals, prompting a nationwide recall of the affected product.

Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce

Traceability analysis traced the contaminated batch to a single processing plant in California that supplied lettuce to the fast‑food chain. The plant’s records show that ↓ 15% of its shipments in the last month failed routine microbial testing, a figure that alarmed regulators.

Supply‑chain breach uncovered

According to a statement from Reuters, the FDA has issued a warning to all distributors handling iceberg lettuce destined for Taco Bell. The agency recommends consumers who purchased Taco Bell meals between June 1 and June 15 discard any leftovers and monitor symptoms.

“We are working closely with federal partners to ensure the source is fully contained,” said a spokesperson for the restaurant chain.

Public health officials urge anyone experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal distress to seek medical care. For ongoing updates, follow the CDC’s official page.