Taco Bell at centre of US Cyclospora outbreak probe; Taylor Farms lettuce under scanner

Taco Bell's shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms has emerged as a potential source of a Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands across the United States.The outbreak has affected people in dozens of states, prompting Taco Bell to remove certain ingredients from its supply chain as a precaution.According to a report by The Washington Post, investigators found that many people who contracted cyclosporiasis had recently eaten at Taco Bell, making the fast-food chain a common factor in numerous cases.However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not officially confirmed either the supplier or the contaminated product as the source of the outbreak.Taco Bell removes affected ingredientsFollowing discussions with US health officials, Taco Bell said it had voluntarily removed lettuce supplied by the suspected vendor in selected states as a precaution.The company said the ingredient would be withdrawn nationwide and replaced in affected restaurants within 24 hours.Some Taco Bell outlets in the Detroit area also temporarily stopped serving lettuce, onions, pico de gallo and guacamole while the investigation continues.CDC links 1,644 Cyclospora cases to Taco Bell exposure Based on epidemiologic information collected byCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 1,644 people infected with Cyclospora and reporting exposure to Taco Bell have been reported by 5 states.Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 13, 2026, to July 13, 2026.

There have been 94 hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services analyzed food exposure details from 190 of the cases who reported eating at Taco Bell and shared these findings with CDC.Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.