The surge in cases of explosive diarrhea that has sickened more than 1,640 people in five states since May has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce sold at some Taco Bell restaurants by investigators, federal health officials say.
An investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials has linked shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, the stomach-churning parasitic infection that causes diarrhea and nausea.
The FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by these Taco Bell locations, the agencies said late Thursday, July 16. The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, linked it to lettuce supplied by California-based Taylor Farms.
The CDC has reported more than 1,644 cases in those five states as of July 16, with 94 people hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Across the U.S., the CDC is also investigating other cyclosporiasis outbreaks that are unrelated to this five-state outbreak, the agency said. The infection, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, can cause frequent, watery diarrhea or explosive bowel movements, nausea, cramps, bloating and low-grade fever.
The true number of sick people in this multistate outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, the CDC said.
The Florida Department of Health has reported 96 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, but they may not be linked to the current outbreak. Florida saw 210 cases of cyclosporiasis last year and 222 cases in 2024, data shows.
Did Taco Bell stop selling lettuce in Florida? These are the 5 states
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week it had identified a likely link among cases reported in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, suggesting many of the infections may stem from a common source, according to the report.
On July 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised consumers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico at Taco Bell locations, and said that the Yum! Brands Mexican food chain was working to stop the use of all lettuce implicated in the investigation, although not all Taco Bell locations in these states received shredded iceberg lettuce from the same supplier.
“Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states,” the company said in a July 16 statement.
Is Taco Bell in Florida safe?
The FDA has not reported contamination at Florida Taco Bell locations.
Taco Bell said the lettuce supplied by the vendor would be “indefinitely removed” from its supply chain nationwide and replaced within 24 hours in affected states. The company did not identify the supplier or specify which states were affected by the removal.
Taco Bell previously said it had removed ingredients from some stores in what the fast food chain called a precautionary move.
However, washing and scrubbing your produce is always a good idea.
Florida has reported an average of 246 cases of cyclosporiasis every year from 2015 through 2025, with a notable rise in cases in the last few years. The state reported 543 cases in 2019, and 508 in 2022, according to FDOH data.
What to do if you have cyclosporiasis symptoms
Minor cases can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter-medication.
However, you should contact your health provider or seek medical attention if diarrhea is prolonged and accompanied by dizziness, inability to keep fluids down or signs of dehydration.
During the illness, avoid foods such as high-sugar beverages, alcohol and excess caffeine, greasy and spicy foods, and dairy products.
What antibiotics treat cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is sold as Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim, according to the CDC.
“If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, talk to your health care provider about other potential options,” the agency adds. “Resting and drinking plenty of fluids is also important for those experiencing diarrhea.”
Reuters contributed to this article.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Taco Bell pulls lettuce linked to cyclosporiasis. What about Florida?
Reporting by Mike Snider, Thao Nguyen and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Snider, Thao Nguyen and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
