Taco Bell removes lettuce from menu after parasitic outbreak
Fast‑food chain Taco Bell has decided to cut shredded iceberg lettuce from its menu in several US states, following new findings that the lettuce may be linked to an outbreak of explosive diarrhoea caused by the parasite Cyclosporium.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counts 1,645 infections nationwide, with 94 people hospitalised, after exposure reports surfaced on 13 May. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning and urged consumers to avoid lettuce originating from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
“We are acting out of an abundance of caution,” the chain announced to the media. It added that lettuce from a single supplier is being removed indefinitely while a replacement source is sought.
Given that the parasite is notoriously difficult to trace, health officials say the food‑chain partnership in securing safer produce is vital. The outbreak has primarily affected Michigan, where over 3,300 cases have been documented.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include watery diarrhoea lasting multiple days, weight loss and loss of appetite. The infection can take up to two weeks to become apparent.
Taco Bell’s decision underscores ongoing concerns about traceability across the rapidly shifting supply chains of the fast‑food sector. Experts have highlighted that reduced funding for federal health agencies worsens the challenge of pinpointing contamination sources.
By Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu
