The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) linked the Taco Bell lettuce supplier to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Over 6,000 people across the US were infected with an "explosive diarrhoea-causing" parasite. Nearly 200 people were hospitalised as of Thursday.
A single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico was identified as the potential source of the outbreak by the central agencies. The iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak was supplied to Taco Bell restaurants across five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The CDC urged people not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in those states while the investigation continues.
Investigators have identified Taylor Farms as the supplier of the contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce, The Washington Post reported, citing sources familiar with the inquiry who spoke after federal agencies declined to name the company.
“The investigation remains active, and additional states, restaurants, retailers, or products may be identified as more information becomes available,” said Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Health and Human Services Department.
During the investigation, officials noted that a very high percentage of people who fell sick had consumed lettuce as a topping or add-on from the Taco Bell menu.
Taylor Farms describes itself as one of the world's leading producers of salads and healthy fresh foods, operating production facilities across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Western Europe.
“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 affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states,” Taco Bell said in a statement.
“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 has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same,” it read.
Cases have been identified in at least 34 states, and confirmed illnesses could continue to increase through the end of August.
