When someone is craving a Supreme Chalupa and a cold Mountain Dew Baja Blast, Taco Bell is often the obvious choice. But customers in Michigan are now paying attention to the fast-food chain for a much less appealing reason.
State and federal health officials are investigating a possible outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. According to several news reports, investigators are looking into whether certain foods served at Taco Bell restaurants may be connected to the rise in cases.
The investigation appears to be focused largely on Michigan, particularly the Detroit area. A Taco Bell restaurant in that region has reportedly received increased scrutiny as health officials work to identify the source of the outbreak.
Taco Bell said no direct connection has been established between the company and the reported illnesses.
“The health and safety of our guests is our top priority,” the company said in a statement to Fox Business. “Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer.”
The company added that it had temporarily removed a limited number of ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution. Taco Bell said it would continue monitoring the investigation and following guidance from public health authorities.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also released a statement addressing the outbreak. Investigators said early findings suggest that lettuce or other salad greens could be involved, though they have not ruled out additional foods.
“While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out,” the department said. “No specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source.”
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said officials decided to share the preliminary information so residents could take precautions while the investigation continues.
“Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,” Bagdasarian said.
She explained that lettuce has repeatedly appeared as a common food among people affected by the illness. However, health officials have not confirmed that it is the sole cause.
The department did not name Taco Bell in its public notice. Still, customers at some Michigan locations reportedly noticed that lettuce and certain other ingredients had suddenly been removed from the menu. Those changes may have been part of the company’s voluntary precautions, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Cyclosporiasis can cause watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and other digestive symptoms. The illness develops when a person eats or drinks something contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite. Because symptoms may not appear immediately, health officials say identifying the source can be difficult.
The parasite can have an incubation period of up to two weeks, which means additional cases could be reported well after a person was exposed. That delay may also make it harder for patients to remember exactly what they ate before becoming sick.
Health officials noted that cyclosporiasis is mainly associated with contaminated food. Water is not considered a common source of transmission, though the department still advises people to avoid swallowing untreated recreational water from lakes and similar locations.
While investigators continue searching for the cause, the Michigan health department has offered several suggestions for reducing the risk of exposure. Officials recommend buying whole heads of lettuce instead of prewashed, packaged greens when possible. Consumers should remove and discard the outer two or three layers before rinsing the remaining leaves under clean, running water.
Cooking leafy greens is considered the safest option. The department recommends heating them to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even careful washing may not eliminate every risk. According to the department, the Cyclospora parasite can resist routine chemical disinfection, meaning that rinsing produce alone cannot guarantee its removal.
For now, no specific restaurant, supplier, grower, or food product has officially been identified as the source of the outbreak. Taco Bell has said it is cooperating with health authorities, while Michigan officials continue gathering information and monitoring new cases.
