Report: Taco Bell Lettuce Supplier Identified as Possible Source of Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Democrats fervently hope the source is tied to Republicans somehow. Anyhow.

Legal Insurrection   

"More states are now reporting Cyclospora infections as health officials continue searching for the source behind a growing outbreak that has now spread across 38 states. Michigan remains the hardest hit with more than 1,500 reported…

"I have been following the nationwide outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic gut parasite that triggers explosive diarrhea and can be accompanied by severe cramping, nausea, fatigue, and prolonged weeks of illness.

""As I noted in that article, given similar previously recorded events, the Cyclospora spread would likely be tied to fruits or vegetables from a national distributor.  Subsequently, I indicated that Taco Bell restaurants were pulling fresh ingredients from the menu.

"It now appears that cases of Cyclospora are exploding throughout the country.

As of July 14, nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported by at least 34 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC believes 400 of these cases in four states — Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky — are connected as part of a large, multistate outbreak, it said in a health alert on Tuesday.

Cyclosporasis cases normally increase in the U.S. during the warmer months, according to the CDC. But the recent surge has sparked concern.

“Cases are simply exploding across the country,” NBC medical contributor and ER physician Dr. John Torres said on TODAY in a July 14 segment. At least 141 people have been hospitalized so far." . . .

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UPDATED: Lettuce at Taco Bell confirmed as a source of diarrhea-causing outbreak | AP News    . . . "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Thursday warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. A record number of cyclospora cases have been reported in more than 30 states, and experts have said not every recent U.S. illness might be caused by a single source.

"A Food and Drug Administration investigation so far has identified a single supplier of the lettuce. The federal warnings to consumers did not identify the company, but Taylor Fresh Foods, of Salinas, California, said FDA testing indicated it was “a specific independent farm” affiliated with the company.

"The FDA was working with the supplier “to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market,” including in other states, the CDC said. “Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA’s traceback investigation.” . . .  

"Taylor Farms also was tied to a 2013 cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to salad mix and a 2024 E. coli outbreak tied to onions served at McDonald’s."