Not Just Taco Bell: Parasite Outbreak Tied to Lettuce Dents Restaurant Traffic
The CDC said 141 people have been hospitalized, and investigators suspect multiple outbreaks are spreading through produce served at Taco Bell.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed or are under investigation nationwide, linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- Michigan health officials identified lettuce as the likely source after interviewing over 1,000 people who tested positive, prompting an FDA traceback investigation that led to a single iceberg lettuce supplier in Mexico.
- Chicago resident Alonso Zaragoza, 46, developed severe symptoms over the weekend of July 11 and 12, losing 5 pounds before requiring emergency care; nationwide, 141 people have been hospitalized since May, with patients ranging from age 2 to 95.
- Taco Bell voluntarily removed the contaminated ingredient from restaurants nationwide and severed ties with the supplier, while the CDC warned diners to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce at affected Taco Bell locations in the five states.
- Paul Rzucidlo with Kern Public Health clarified that cases across 34 states represent multiple unrelated outbreaks, with at least 400 suspected connected to Taco Bell. Standard food safety practices like washing produce provide adequate protection, he said.
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64 Articles
Lettuce-linked parasite outbreak in the US hits Taco Bell where it hurts the most
Taco Bell customer traffic plunged after a parasite outbreak in the US linked to shredded iceberg lettuce triggered thousands of cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan. Yum Brands shares have fallen sharply, while restaurant chains including Chipotle, Panera, Chopt and Sweetgreen also saw weaker customer visits as the food safety scare spread across the industry.
Washington Top News
Americans have reduced consumption in food chains with lettuce-laden menus as concerns about the outbreak increase...
Parasite Lettuce Nightmare Hits Taco Bell
A parasite outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce has sickened more than 7,000 people across 34 states — making it the largest such outbreak in the United States since 1997. Story Highlights The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states to a Cyclospora...
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