WASHINGTON, July 16 (DC Times Online) — Michigan health officials said lettuce or salad greens are the leading suspect in a cyclosporiasis outbreak, while Taco Bell said it has pulled some ingredients from select restaurants even though public health officials have not confirmed a link to the chain.
Federal and state health officials are investigating whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in the outbreak, according to people familiar with the matter. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said no specific produce, grower, supplier or brand has been identified, and other foods cannot be ruled out.
Taco Bell said in a statement that “the health and safety of our guests is our top priority” and that it had “voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure.” The company said officials had not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or to any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer.
Michigan health officials have said the state is dealing with its largest parasitic outbreak. Posted notices at some Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan said certain items were unavailable because of a nationwide recall, including lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo and guacamole.
