A nationwide parasitic illness outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce has now spread to 34 states, and federal health officials have traced it to a single lettuce supplier used by Taco Bell locations in five states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Friday that a traceback investigation by the Food and Drug Administration identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the source. The contaminated lettuce was supplied to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, according to CBS News.
The outbreak is caused by cyclospora, a parasite that produces a diarrheal illness called cyclosporiasis. It was first reported in early May. More than 1,644 cases in the current outbreak involve people who reported eating at Taco Bell in those five states, including 94 people who were hospitalized, the CDC said. Michigan has reported more than 5,000 cases in the state alone, an increase of nearly 700 since Thursday, officials said. Statewide, 102 people have been hospitalized, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Taylor Farms, based in Salinas, California, supplies several major restaurant chains across the country. The company said in a statement Friday that based on information from the FDA, it is "voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico." Taylor Farms said the FDA traceback pointed to a "specific farm" that accounts for "less than 1% of the U.S.'s iceberg lettuce supply," and the company has removed all iceberg lettuce from that region indefinitely.
"As a family owned and operated company, we are 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," Taylor Farms said. The company added that no Taylor Farms-branded salads or kits are associated with the outbreak.
The FDA said Friday night that Taylor Farms informed them "they would initiate a recall," and that more information would follow as it becomes available.
Taco Bell said that as of Friday, July 17, it "has completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from our restaurants." The chain said the ingredient has been removed from its supply chain nationwide. "Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell worked swiftly to voluntarily remove the product from restaurants and the affected ingredient has been removed from our supply chain nationwide," Taco Bell Corp. said.
Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Health and Human Services Department, said the investigation remains active. "The investigation remains active, and additional states, restaurants, retailers, or products may be identified as more information becomes available," she said.
The CDC said shredded iceberg lettuce sold in grocery stores or served at other restaurants is not affected. The FDA said it is working directly with Taylor Farms to determine whether any potentially contaminated lettuce remains on the market.
