CDC Narrows Cyclosporiasis Outbreak To Taco Bell Lettuce Supplier As Investigation Takes Major Turn

When the first reports of a nationwide cyclospora outbreak surfaced, the internet immediately did what it does best.

Taco Bell became the punchline.

Countless memes blamed the fast food chain for the parasite responsible for thousands of illnesses, with many assuming the jokes were just that: jokes.

As it turns out, they weren't entirely off the mark.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now confirmed that shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states has been identified as the source of one of the largest cyclospora outbreaks currently under investigation. While Taco Bell itself wasn't the cause, one of its suppliers was.

CDC Identifies A Single Lettuce Supplier

On Friday, the CDC announced consumers should not eat Taco Bell menu items containing shredded iceberg lettuce purchased from locations in:

• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Ohio
• West Virginia

Federal investigators say those restaurants received shredded iceberg lettuce from a single supplier in Mexico, marking the biggest breakthrough yet in the nationwide investigation.

The Food and Drug Administration traced the contaminated lettuce back to one supplier, although officials have not publicly identified the company.

The CDC says Taco Bell has already stopped using the affected lettuce while investigators continue tracing where else it may have been distributed.

So... Were The Taco Bell Memes Actually Right?

Kind of.

The jokes suggesting Taco Bell was responsible for the outbreak turned out to contain a kernel of truth.

The important distinction is that investigators are not blaming Taco Bell itself.

Instead, they traced one outbreak to contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce that happened to be served at Taco Bell restaurants in five Midwestern states.

In other words, Taco Bell was one stop along the supply chain, not the source of the contamination.

Ironically, many of the jokes centered around Taco Bell's reputation for causing stomach issues. This time, however, investigators say the culprit wasn't tacos or hot sauce. It was contaminated produce.

Louisiana Isn't On The CDC's Taco Bell List, But We're Still Seeing Cases Rise

While the CDC's latest advisory applies only to Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, Louisiana is still dealing with its own increase in cyclospora cases.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the state has reported 43 confirmed cases, nearly doubling from the previous week. Five people have been hospitalized, and infections have been reported across nearly every region of the state.

Lafayette Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish currently have the highest number of reported cases, making Acadiana one of the hardest-hit areas in Louisiana.

At this time, Louisiana Taco Bell locations are not included in the CDC's warning, and health officials have not linked the contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce identified in the Midwest investigation to restaurants in Louisiana.

Still, the CDC's findings reinforce what investigators have believed throughout the outbreak: fresh produce remains the primary suspect. Even if Louisiana isn't part of this specific Taco Bell investigation, health officials continue recommending that people wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

This Isn't The Only Cyclospora Outbreak

The CDC says it's critical to understand that the Taco Bell investigation represents just one of several cyclospora outbreaks happening across the country.

Nearly 7,000 illnesses are now under review nationwide.

Officials say 1,644 people linked to the Taco Bell outbreak reported eating at the restaurant before becoming sick, and 94 people required hospitalization.

At the same time, the CDC says it is actively investigating other unrelated outbreaks, meaning contaminated lettuce served at Taco Bell does not explain every case being reported across the country.

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What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestines after a person eats contaminated food or drinks contaminated water.

Symptoms often include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Explosive bowel movements
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Unlike many stomach illnesses, cyclospora is not spread from person to person. Instead, outbreaks almost always involve contaminated fresh produce.

The illness can linger for weeks if left untreated, although antibiotics are generally effective once it's properly diagnosed.

What Happens Next?

The CDC and FDA continue tracing where the contaminated lettuce was distributed and whether additional restaurants or retailers may have received products from the same supplier.

Federal officials have not announced a recall of all lettuce, nor have they identified the supplier publicly.

Health officials continue encouraging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly and seek medical attention if diarrhea lasts more than a few days, particularly since cyclospora requires specific testing that isn't included in many routine stool panels.

Louisiana may not be on the CDC's Taco Bell warning list, but with cases continuing to climb across the state, especially in Lafayette Parish, it's still a good reminder to practice safe food handling, wash fresh produce thoroughly, and stay informed as investigators continue working to identify the source of other cyclospora outbreaks nationwide.