Taco Bell has temporarily removed several fresh ingredients from menus at some U.S. restaurants as health officials track a widening outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection known to cause severe gastrointestinal illness.
Notices posted at multiple locations say the chain is not currently serving lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole or cilantro onion because of concerns linked to the cyclospora parasite.
The affected restaurants reportedly include several in Michigan, where nearly 1,000 people have become ill with cyclosporiasis. The infection, caused by the cyclospora parasite, can trigger sudden symptoms including severe diarrhea, vomiting and other stomach-related distress.
According to local news reports, the notice displayed in stores states: “We are currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall. We apologize for the inconvenience.
“Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them.”
It remains unclear which recall the notice is referencing. No food recalls have been publicly announced in connection with the recent rise in cyclosporiasis cases.
Menu items that typically contain at least one of the affected ingredients include tacos, the Crunchwrap Supreme and select Cantina Chicken offerings.
It is also not yet known whether any Taco Bell customers have contracted cyclosporiasis. Daily Mail has contacted the company for comment.
The notices come as at least 1,900 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported nationwide this year. No source of the parasite is known at this time and state and federal health officials are investigating.
Several Taco Bell locations have posted notices stating they have pulled certain ingredients from menus due to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis
Health officials from 29 states have confirmed to the Daily Mail that they are experiencing cases.
North Carolina and New York have reported the second- and third-most cases behind Michigan, with 145 and 125 confirmed illnesses, respectively.
However, due to reporting delays, it is possible actual case counts are higher. Daily Mail is awaiting responses from other states.
CDC data, which has not been updated since July 1, only shows 145 cases in 17 states.
Cyclosporiasis is acquired through eating or drinking food or beverages contaminated with the parasite, often from feces.
The cyclospora parasite particularly tends to cling to raw, fresh produce such as leafy greens, herbs and soft berries that have bumpy surfaces where contaminants can hide.
Previous outbreaks have been linked to bagged salad kits, cilantro, basil and other leafy green produce – though no source or suspected source has been identified in this outbreak.
Human-to-human transmission is rare.
The Cleveland Clinic has warned: ‘Cyclosporiasis is an illness you get from the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. It causes watery, and sometimes explosive, diarrhea and other stomach problems.’
Symptoms usually occur about a week after exposure.
If not treated, cyclosporiasis could last for more than a month, with symptoms subsiding and reappearing multiple times.
To prevent the disease, the CDC recommends avoiding consuming food or water at risk of contamination with feces and following general food safety preparation guidelines.
Treatment consists of a course of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is sold as Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim.
Most people with a healthy immune system will recover without any treatment.
Cases of cyclosporiasis tend to rise between May and August and it is more common in people returning to the US from foreign travel.
Cyclosporiasis can cause explosive diarrhea and vomiting, and if not treated, the infection may last for over a month
The CDC has reported cyclosporiasis in 17 states, though its data has not been updated since July 1 and lags behind state health department figures
As the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) races to identify a source of the outbreak, it earlier this week issued warnings to restaurant workers to reduce the spread.
For lettuce and greens, the department urged restaurants to buy whole heads of lettuce rather than prewashed, bagged lettuce or salad mixes, throwing away the outer two to three layers of leaves and washing inner leaves under running water.
MDHHS also recommended in a press release washing cilantro and basil thoroughly under running water and separating the leaves. Green onions should be trimmed at the root end and have the outer layer removed before washing under running water.
And for raspberries, the department warns their bumpy surface makes them hard to clean, allowing the cyclospora parasite to hide in the crevices. Snow peas must also be washed under running water.
The agency also noted heating foods to 158F (70C) can kill the cyclospora parasite, and all fresh produce should be washed under running water, even if you plan to peel it.
MDHHS emphasized its food-related recommendations are especially vital for people at a higher risk of dehydration or with weakened immune systems, such as those on chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, young children and older adults.
