Taco Bell has removed potentially impacted lettuce from its supply chain nationwide as federal and state health officials investigate a cyclosporiasis outbreak. The chain stated it is taking this precautionary action "out of an abundance of caution" and is "proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have linked illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce from a single supplier in Mexico used at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The CDC advised consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell in these states.

Nationwide, cyclosporiasis cases, caused by the Cyclospora parasite, have sickened at least 5,880 people across 41 states. The CDC noted that it is also investigating other unrelated cyclosporiasis outbreaks and illnesses nationally.

While the supplier was not officially identified by the CDC and FDA, sources familiar with the investigation told The Washington Post that Taylor Farms was the supplier of the implicated lettuce. The specific supplier has been removed from Taco Bell's supply chain indefinitely and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.

Previously, Taco Bell had begun removing several ingredients, including lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro onion, from its menus last week, posting notices at U.S. locations citing a "nationwide recall." It remains unclear what recall the company was referring to, as no official food recalls had been issued in connection with the cyclosporiasis cases at that time.

Cyclosporiasis infections typically occur from consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite, often through fresh produce. Symptoms include explosive diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Unlike other foodborne illnesses, symptoms can be intermittent and persist for weeks or recur. Experts recommend seeking medical care for diarrhea lasting more than a few days and requesting a specific Cyclospora test, as it is not a routine diagnostic. Treatment typically involves the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

It is currently unclear if any Taco Bell consumers have been directly sickened by cyclosporiasis related to this outbreak.