HOUSTON – Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, prompting renewed concerns about food safety as cases continue to rise in Texas.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia has been linked to illnesses caused by Cyclospora. Multiple news reports have identified Taylor Farms as the supplier.
Texas has not been identified as one of the states where Taco Bell’s lettuce has been linked to illnesses. However, health officials continue monitoring Cyclospora cases statewide.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there are 68 confirmed Cyclospora cases statewide.
Local health departments report:
- Harris County Public Health: 24 confirmed cases
- Houston Health Department: 16 confirmed cases
- Fort Bend County: 15 confirmed cases
- Galveston County: 5 confirmed cases, with 4 additional cases under investigation
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestines and can cause prolonged gastrointestinal illness.
Common symptoms include:
- Explosive watery diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramping
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Symptoms typically begin about 7 to 10 days after consuming contaminated food and, without treatment, illness can last for several weeks.
Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist with Memorial Hermann, says the public should not avoid fresh produce because of the outbreak.
Instead, she recommends being more selective about the products you purchase.
“The products that are at risk are the pre-chopped, pre-washed, already bagged products,” Yancey said. “What you want to do instead is go for the intact head of lettuce. You can peel off the outer leaves, rinse it under water, and the interior is going to be just fine for you to eat.”
Yancey says buying whole produce and rinsing it under running water is one of the best ways to reduce your risk.
However, she cautions that produce washes are not a solution.
“The vegetable sprays are very good at removing food-grade wax, but they do not kill Cyclospora,” Yancey explained. “The only way to kill Cyclospora is to bake it.”
Because of that, she says consumers should not rely on commercial produce washes to eliminate the parasite.
When will the outbreak end?
Although investigators have identified shredded lettuce as a likely source, health experts say it may take several weeks before case numbers begin to decline.
“So Cyclospora has kind of a long incubation period, seven to ten days,” Yancey said. “So we’ve probably got another couple of weeks ahead of us with this before we start seeing a decline in the cases.”
Health experts recommend several steps to help reduce your risk of illness:
- Buy whole fruits and vegetables when possible.
- Rinse produce thoroughly under running water before eating or preparing it.
- Remove the outer leaves of lettuce before washing.
- Wash your hands before handling fresh produce.
- Pay attention to food recalls and public health advisories.
Experts stress that the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables continue to outweigh the risks associated with this outbreak.
Anyone experiencing prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps or other symptoms of Cyclospora should contact a healthcare provider. The infection is treatable, and early diagnosis can help shorten the illness.
The FDA says Taco Bell has removed the affected shredded lettuce from its supply chain while the investigation continues.