Fresh produce leader taylor farm The company is launching an ingredient recall related to a parasite outbreak that has caused severe diarrhea and affected thousands of people in Michigan and surrounding states, according to a new report.
The California-based lettuce supplier notified federal authorities of its plans to conduct a recall related to expanded production. Cyclospora Bloomberg News reported on the outbreak on Friday, citing a document reviewed by the publication. This parasite is known to cause severe diarrhea, fatigue and nausea.
The scope of the recall remains uncertain.
Taco Bell withdraws some lettuce products
This action would be the clearest indication yet of the possible origins of the outbreak, leading to Taco Bell Earlier this week, the company withdrew certain lettuce products from restaurants in the Midwest.
On Thursday, federal health authorities linked the illnesses to shredded lettuce supplied by the fast-food chain and identified the specific supplier.
Also read: Cyclosporiasis cases surge to 7,000 in US: Here are 8 foods to avoid, “Don’t eat iceberg silk…”
Taco Bell lettuce identified as source of diarrhea-causing parasite in five states
Federal health authorities have traced a widespread outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite Cyclospora to lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell stores in five U.S. states.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning to consumers Thursday night, recommending not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce produced at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. More than 30 states are recording record numbers of Cyclospora infections, and experts say not all recent illnesses in the United States can be attributed to a single source.
An FDA investigation revealed there was only one supplier of the lettuce. Although the federal warning to consumers does not name the company, a federal official briefed on the investigation but not authorized to speak for the story told The Associated Press that the supplier is Taylor Farms in Salinas, California.
“The FDA is working with iceberg lettuce suppliers to determine whether potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market,” including from other states, the CDC said. “Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce produced by suppliers identified through the FDA’s traceability investigation.”
Federal health officials stressed in a statement that additional “brands, restaurants, retailers or distribution channels” may be identified as the investigation progresses.