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LeftInTX

(35,341 posts)
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 01:01 AM Wednesday

Not the Onion: Authorities investigate Taco Bell and lettuce as cyclosporiasis outbreak surges

Federal and state health officials are investigating whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in one of the largest U.S. outbreaks of a gastrointestinal illness caused by a parasite that contaminates fresh produce, according to two individuals familiar with the investigation.

The two individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing into the outbreak of the infection, which can cause days of diarrhea and has sickened more than 4,000 — mostly in southeastern Michigan and some surrounding areas.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that investigators have identified a likely epidemiological link among cyclosporiasis cases in at least four Midwestern states — Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky — marking the agency’s clearest public indication yet that many of the illnesses are connected by a common source. Cases have been identified in at least 34 states, and additional confirmed illnesses could continue to increase through the end of August, officials said.

But CDC and Food and Drug Administration officials did not discuss whether any restaurant chains are part of the investigation during a media briefing Tuesday.


Gift link: https://wapo.st/4aUUXLI

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Not the Onion: Authorities investigate Taco Bell and lettuce as cyclosporiasis outbreak surges (Original Post) LeftInTX Wednesday OP
yes ... yes dweller Wednesday #1
"Taco Bell is leading the way on preventing diarrhea!" LeftInTX Wednesday #3
Wouldn't be a shock Boo1 Wednesday #2
Doesn't matter. Igel Wednesday #7
I thought that was included with the price Stacey Grove Wednesday #4
The last meal before starting colonoscopy prep. nt Ilsa Wednesday #11
Why yes it is . Autumn Wednesday #13
Now watch them say durablend Wednesday #5
Message auto-removed Name removed Wednesday #6
The parasite is contracted from eating vegetables. CrimsonBight Wednesday #10
I'm so grateful to have more lettuce than we can eat in the garden right now. Vinca Wednesday #8
Gastrointestinal illness or just having eaten Taco Bell. flvegan Wednesday #9
One tells the difference when the explosive diarrhea happens several times a day and doesn't stop... ever. CrimsonBight Wednesday #12

Boo1

(831 posts)
2. Wouldn't be a shock
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 01:07 AM
Wednesday

This is almost certainly going to come from bagged lettuce. Same kind taco bell uses along with a lot of other places.

Igel

(37,756 posts)
7. Doesn't matter.
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 07:38 AM
Wednesday

Maybe XYZ Brand of bagged shredded iceberg lettuce is the culprit, but that requires digging way, way, way too deep into the, uh, matter and who has time to get to the second sentence much less the second paragraph? /sarcasm off/

Stacey Grove

(285 posts)
4. I thought that was included with the price
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 06:12 AM
Wednesday

since the 1970s.

I don't eat fast food anymore, but Taco Bell diarrhea was always quite cleansing.

Response to LeftInTX (Original post)

CrimsonBight

(52 posts)
10. The parasite is contracted from eating vegetables.
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 08:37 AM
Wednesday

I would be careful with those mixed greens.

flvegan

(66,786 posts)
9. Gastrointestinal illness or just having eaten Taco Bell.
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 08:32 AM
Wednesday

How does one tell the difference without a medical evaluation?

When the joke is that your food may mimic an infection outbreak or parasite...you know what, nevermind. If that's what you love, eat up, friends.

CrimsonBight

(52 posts)
12. One tells the difference when the explosive diarrhea happens several times a day and doesn't stop... ever.
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 08:39 AM
Wednesday
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