Taco Bell responds to reports of stomach parasite investigation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuGc_muxQ3c

Taco Bell says it is taking voluntary precautionary measures as federal and state health officials continue investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. While thousands of illnesses have been reported since May, investigators have not yet identified a definitive source or confirmed a link to Taco Bell.

What Taco Bell is doing

The company announced that it has:

• Temporarily removed certain fresh ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution.

• Continued cooperating with public health officials.

• Emphasized that no specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant, or retailer has been confirmed as the source of the outbreak.

Reports indicate that some affected locations have temporarily stopped serving items such as lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro-onion mix, though the exact ingredients vary by location.

About the outbreak

Health officials say:

• Cyclospora infections can cause watery or explosive diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

• Symptoms may not appear for several days to two weeks after exposure, making outbreaks difficult to trace.

• The parasite is commonly associated with contaminated fresh produce, including leafy greens and herbs.

Investigation ongoing

The CDC and FDA are continuing to trace the source of the outbreak. Michigan has reported the largest number of cases, and investigators have identified a likely epidemiological link among cases in several Midwestern states, but they have not determined the exact grower, supplier, or food item responsible.

Bottom line

Taco Bell says it's acting out of caution—not because investigators have linked the chain to the outbreak. The company has temporarily removed some fresh ingredients at select locations while health officials work to identify the source of the nationwide cyclospora outbreak.