Federal health officials have identified an iceberg lettuce supplier for Taco Bell as a possible source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands across multiple states, with Michigan reporting over 4,300 cases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the supplier after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Nationwide, nearly 7,000 people may have been affected, with 1,645 confirmed cases and more than 5,100 still under investigation, according to reports.
The outbreak has drawn heightened attention because of the severity of symptoms, which include prolonged watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, and weight loss. Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite, causes the illness cyclosporiasis, which can lead to what some health officials describe as explosive diarrhea. Symptoms typically appear about a week after exposure, and without treatment, the illness can persist for weeks or longer. The CDC warns that some patients may require hospitalization, though the infection is rarely life-threatening.
Michigan has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, with more than 4,300 reported cases. The White House has acknowledged the situation, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the administration is working closely with the CDC and FDA to trace the outbreak to its source. Leavitt assured reporters that the agencies have the resources they need despite questions about recent staffing changes. The outbreak has accelerated since May, and investigators are simultaneously examining several additional clusters of cyclospora infections across the country.
Public health officials are interviewing patients about everything they ate in the two weeks before becoming sick, as they work to pinpoint the contaminated food. Although investigators have not yet linked the outbreak to a specific product, cyclospora infections have historically been associated with fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs, and berries. The FDA has named an iceberg lettuce supplier as a potential source, but officials caution that the investigation is ongoing and no final determination has been made.
The CDC is urging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water, cook food when possible, and stay hydrated if symptoms develop. The agency also advises contacting a healthcare provider if diarrhea persists. Because routine stool tests do not always screen for cyclospora, patients may need to specifically request testing for the parasite. The CDC emphasizes that the actual number of illnesses is likely much higher than reported, as many infected people never seek testing or medical care.
The outbreak has raised concerns among consumers and public health experts, particularly because the contaminated food has not yet been definitively identified, leaving the public without a specific product to avoid. Taco Bell has not issued a public statement regarding the investigation, but the company is cooperating with health authorities. The FDA and CDC continue to work with state and local partners to trace the source and prevent further infections.
Cyclosporiasis is not typically life-threatening, but the CDC warns that some people can become seriously ill and require hospitalization. Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure and can include prolonged watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, and weight loss. Without treatment, the illness can last for weeks or even longer. The CDC is urging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water, cook food when possible, and to stay hydrated if symptoms develop. It also said to contact a healthcare provider if diarrhea persists. Because routine stool tests do not always screen for cyclospora, officials say patients may need to specifically request testing for the parasite.
