Taco Bell is removing lettuce and cilantro from locations across the country in light of the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by the parasite cyclospora, typically contracted from food, that leads to gastrointestinal illness.
The CDC reported that “As of July 13, more than 400 people infected with Cyclospora have been reported to CDC from 4 states in connection with this multistate outbreak: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.”
While health officials have not yet been able to pin down the exact source of the cyclospora amidst the current outbreak, many are warning against fresh produce—including leafy greens like lettuce and cilantro, two ingredients commonly used in Taco Bell menu items.
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Taco Bell Removes Lettuce and Cilantro at Select Locations
Taco Bell isn't famous for being the best food for your gut health—but if you eat a taco topped with cyclospora-contaminated lettuce, your gastrointestinal woes may reach a whole new level. As a result of the current cyclosporiasis outbreak, the fast food chain has pulled lettuce and cilantro from select locations.
Taco Bell corp. told USA TODAY that the company 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."
However, they assured that health officials have not "confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer."
According to Acting Deputy Commissioner for Food Donald Prater, the FDA is investigating a number of produce items, "also including locations that are reported by the case patients before they became sick."
Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of CDC’s division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases, told USA TODAY: "Right now we don't have a specific source identified, and we're working very hard to continue collecting and analyzing those data."
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People React to Taco Bell's Decision
Online, people are cracking plenty of jokes.
"Taco Bell has been causing Diarrhea since they opened don’t blame them," one Instagram user noted on a post shared by Good Morning America about the matter. "That’s cheating."
Another comment pokes fun at Taco Bell's rising prices and "shrinkflation:" "When they bring them back it will be an additional charge, just watch."
"Can they also pull out all their poison ingredients in their food while pulling their produce?" one comment reads.
Others are pointing blame at different fast food restaurants. One person claims Chick-fil-A is a culprit: "Tainted salads are in North Carolina, but they will not admit that a Chic-fil-a salad with strawberries has sent many of us to the emergency room with the stomach virus."
In any case, pulling potentially tainted ingredients from the menu can't hurt, even if it's on a small scale.
Whether or not your local Taco Bell has removed lettuce and cilantro from the lineup, it might be wise to consume these ingredients—and any uncooked produce, for that matter—at your own risk.
Stay safe!
