Iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states has been linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak, federal health officials say. But as of Friday, July 17, New York Taco Bell locations have not been linked to the investigation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and state health officials said shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia has been linked to the parasite outbreak.
However, New York remains under scrutiny because preliminary state data show about 511 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported statewide since May 1, even though state health officials say there is no evidence of a single multistate outbreak connecting those cases.
The FDA said it traced the lettuce served at the affected Taco Bell restaurants to a single supplier in Mexico and is investigating whether the product was distributed elsewhere. The USA Today network’s New York-Connect Team has reached out to the New York State Department of Health to ask whether any New York cases have been linked to Taco Bell or the lettuce identified in the federal investigation.
Taco Bell said it has removed the potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain nationwide as a precaution.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and can cause watery or explosive diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and a low-grade fever.
What federal investigators found
Federal investigators said 1,644 people who became sick reported eating at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia before developing symptoms.
The illnesses began between May 13 and June 13, according to the CDC. So far, 94 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Michigan health officials interviewed 190 patients, and about 90% reported eating shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell before becoming ill.
The FDA traced that lettuce to a single supplier in Mexico and has increased border screening of imported products connected to the investigation. Officials emphasized that not every Taco Bell restaurant in the five affected states received the contaminated lettuce.
The FDA also warned that additional states, restaurants, retailers and suppliers could be added to the investigation as more information becomes available.
Does this affect Taco Bell restaurants in New York?
Not at this time.
The CDC and FDA have linked this specific outbreak only to Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
New York has not been included in the federal advisory.
However, investigators are working to determine whether the contaminated lettuce was distributed beyond those states.
Meanwhile, New York has reported an increase in laboratory-confirmed cyclospora infections this year. State health officials say there is no evidence that all of the state’s cases are connected to a single source or multistate outbreak.
The FDA noted that the Taco Bell outbreak represents only one subset of cyclospora cases being investigated nationwide.
Taco Bell removes lettuce nationwide
Taco Bell said Thursday it removed the potentially affected lettuce supplied to certain restaurants and is indefinitely removing that supplier’s lettuce from its nationwide supply chain.
The chain said replacement lettuce would be distributed to affected markets within 24 hours.
“While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests,” Taco Bell said in a statement.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
According to the CDC, symptoms typically begin about one week after infection and may include:
Without treatment, symptoms can last a month or longer.
Because routine stool tests do not always detect Cyclospora, the CDC recommends asking a health care provider for a test that specifically screens for the parasite if you have symptoms.
Anyone diagnosed with cyclosporiasis may be contacted by state or federal health officials to help determine where they may have been exposed. Those who have not been contacted are encouraged to report their illness to their local health department.
Contributing: USA TODAY
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Taco Bell lettuce linked to Cyclospora outbreak. Are New York restaurants affected?
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Madison Scott, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
