Taco Bell under investigation amid US Cyclosporiasis outbreak after items axed from menu
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Authorities are now investigating Taco Bell amid a multistate outbreak of a parasitic gastrointestinal illness causing ‘explosive diarrhoea’ after the fast-food institution previously pulled five menu items from a store.
State and federal officials are currently probing the chain’s possible contribution to the widening outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with Michigan health experts reporting a whopping 3,309 cases of the illness in the state.
Usually, the Great Lakes States only identify around 50 cases a year.
Symptoms related to the illness outbreak include fatigue, stomach cramps, ‘watery diarrhoea’, vomiting, and low-grade fever, Dr Omer Awan, University of Maryland School of Medicine, told PBS News Hour.
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Despite it being rarely life-threatening, more than 40 Michigan residents have been hospitalised, with people in states including New York, Ohio, and Illinois also falling ill and being taken for medical care.
Experts from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) claimed in a notice that ‘early tests’ suggested that ‘lettuce or salad greens’ could be the potential ‘source for the outbreak’, and now The Washington Post has reported that officials are specifically investigating Taco Bell’s involvement in the widespread illness.
The news comes days after the fast-food outlet posted signs at locations in Michigan, including in Metro Detroit, warning customers that items including lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro onion were unavailable due to ‘a nationwide recall’, as seen via Reddit.
“We apologize for the inconvenience. Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them,” the sign stated at the time.
The company’s decision to pull certain fresh ingredients was apparently due to the health and safety of customers being a ‘top priority’, a statement from Taco Bell Corp said.
“Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer.
“While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities.”
Meanwhile, a source told the New York Post that axing the five salad items was a prudent safeguard, adding: “It’s good the chain has already voluntarily stopped serving a number of items.”
FOODbible has contacted Taco Bell for comment.
Amid the cyclosporiasis outbreak, officials from the MDHHS confirmed that researchers continue to ‘work closely with local health departments to conduct in-depth interviews of individuals testing positive for cyclosporiasis, as well as with other state and federal partners to conduct traceback investigations’,.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that more than 1,000 interviews had already been completed.
Authorities have since issued advice to US residents who are worried about contracting the illness.
People should prioritise consuming whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits, and discard the outer layers of the vegetable.
Inner leaves should be washed under clean running water while cooking items at a temperature of at least 158F (70C) should be mandatory.
Officials claim this is the ‘safest option, as the parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal.”
Dr Awan added that anyone who is suffering from diarrhoea for more than two to three days should talk to their doctor and get tested so that treatment can begin.