US federal health officials have identified lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states as the source of a widespread diarrhea-causing parasite Cyclospora outbreak.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Thursday that consumers should not eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a traceback investigation linked the contaminated lettuce to a single supplier, although the company has not been publicly identified.
“FDA is working with the supplier of iceberg lettuce to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market,” including in other states, the CDC said.
The agency added that Taco Bell has agreed to stop using lettuce supplied by the company identified during the FDA’s investigation while the inquiry continues.