Taco Bell halts lettuce and cilantro service amid Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak

Six Taco Bell restaurants in the Detroit metropolitan area have discontinued serving fresh lettuce and cilantro following a statewide increase in cyclosporiasis, a parasitic gastrointestinal illness that has affected more than 3,300 Michigan residents. Employees at outlets in Trenton, Woodhaven, Wyandotte, Taylor, Riverview and Southgate confirmed the change, but neither state officials nor Taco Bell have publicly tied the chain’s produce to the outbreak.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said lettuce and other salad greens are among the foods being examined as possible sources, though no specific grower or supplier has been identified. > "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," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive. > "Current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out," added Lynn Sutfin, a state health department spokesperson.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted it is unaware of any voluntary recall by Taco Bell related to lettuce or cilantro and said the agency, together with the CDC and state partners, continues to monitor case numbers and investigate clusters. Cyclosporiasis, caused by the Cyclospora cayatenensis parasite, typically rises in summer and can lead to severe diarrhea; at least 44 Michigan patients have been hospitalized. Attempts to obtain comment from Taco Bell’s corporate media relations were unsuccessful.