Michigan Taco Bells stop serving lettuce as cyclosporiasis cases rise

Amid an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic gastrointestinal illness that has infected 3,309 people in Michigan as of July 14, at least some Taco Bell restaurants stopped serving lettuce and cilantro, the Detroit Free Press learned after visiting six metro Detroit locations July 8-9.

Employees at Taco Bell restaurants in Trenton, Woodhaven, Wyandotte, Taylor, Riverview and Southgate all said those fresh produce items are no longer being served. Neither government nor Taco Bell has publicly linked the fresh produce from the restaurant chain to the outbreak.

It comes amid a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne infection that causes watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, that's hitting Michigan and northwest Ohio especially hard. Cases also have been reported in multiple other states nationally.

More: Experts weigh in on Michigan cyclosporiasis testing as outbreak grows

More: Michigan cyclospora outbreak investigation zeroes in on lettuce, salad greens

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced July 13 that they are zeroing in on lettuce and other salad greens as potential sources of the massive outbreak.

“Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, in a statement. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more.”

Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson for the state health department, said in a July 14 email message to the Detroit Free Press: "While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out. No specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told the Detroit Free Press in a July 9 email message that it was "not aware of any voluntary recall made by Taco Bell related to lettuce or cilantro associated with Cyclospora. FDA and CDC are actively engaged with state partners to identify the source of the growing number of illnesses.

"Cyclosporiasis cases are seasonally expected and typically increase each summer. The investigation is ongoing, and the FDA and the CDC, in partnership with state and local health officials, continue to monitor case counts and cluster activity."

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic cyclospora cayatenensis parasite, which can infect people when they eat or drink food or liquids that have been contaminated with fecal matter.

At least 44 people in Michigan alone have been hospitalized in the outbreak, according to MDHHS.

The Detroit Free Press reached out by phone and email to Taco Bell's corporate media relations office to ask why it is no longer serving lettuce and cilantro, but didn't get any response.

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepres.com. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.