A popular lettuce supplier for Taco Bell has been identified as a potential source of contamination in the cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands across the United States, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Taylor Farms, which supplies shredded lettuce to the fast-food chain, has been linked to the outbreak. Investigators noted a high percentage of affected individuals reported eating at Taco Bell, with lettuce frequently cited as a common menu item among those who became ill.
When the Food and Drug Administration inquired about the source of lettuce for Taco Bell locations in Michigan and three other states experiencing the largest number of cases, Taylor Farms was identified as a supplier. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently confirmed a likely link between cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
As of Thursday, over 3,400 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in Michigan alone, with more than 100 individuals requiring hospitalization.