The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that Taylor Farms’ lettuce from central Mexico is likely the source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan and four other states. Initially, a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms tested positive for the cyclospora parasite, but subsequent reevaluation deemed it a false positive.
Taylor Farms stated that the FDA apologized for the initial testing error and emphasized that their voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico was a precautionary measure. Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection, is typically contracted by consuming contaminated food or water.
Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb explained that the flawed test did not undermine the investigation’s conclusions, as epidemiological evidence was the primary basis for identifying the source of the outbreak. As of July 14, there were over 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S., with Michigan reporting the highest number of cases.
The CDC is updating case counts in collaboration with states, and cases have also been linked to Taco Bell restaurants in other states. Despite the impact on consumer perceptions, analysts believe the outbreak’s effects on sales and traffic at Taco Bell will likely be temporary.
The lettuce linked to the outbreak was produced in Guanajuato, Mexico, and the voluntary recall affected products distributed to 27 U.S. states. The outbreak has not significantly affected Canada, with no reported cases related to the U.S. outbreak.