WASHINGTON, July 16 (DC Times Online) — Michigan health officials say lettuce or salad greens are the leading suspect in a cyclospora outbreak, while people familiar with the investigation say federal and state officials are reviewing whether Taco Bell restaurants were involved.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a possible source, but other food items cannot be ruled out. The department said no specific type of produce, grower, supplier or brand has been identified.
Taco Bell said public health officials have not confirmed a link to the chain or to any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. The company said it voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precaution while it continues to monitor the situation.
The Food and Drug Administration has not announced a Taco Bell recall, and its public notices did not include one tied to the outbreak. Michigan officials have described the event as the state’s largest parasitic outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 843 Cyclospora cases across 31 states since May, with 86 hospitalizations.
