Taco Bell Food changed on Tuesday when Taco Bell voluntarily and temporarily removed some ingredients at select restaurants amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak. The move affects only some locations, while public health officials keep tracing the source behind a rise in Michigan cases.
Michigan reported 3,309 cases since June 22, including more than 600 new cases since Monday, and at least 44 people have been hospitalized. The state usually sees about 50 cyclosporiasis cases a year, which shows how far this outbreak has moved beyond a routine seasonal count.
Taco Bell Corp statement on Tuesday
Taco Bell Corp said, "The health and safety of our guests is our top priority," and added that "Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell 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."
The company’s change is narrow but immediate: it applies only to select restaurants and only while the review continues. For customers, that means the menu shift is tied to a precaution, not a permanent change in operations.
Donald Prate on lettuce
Donald Prate, the Food and Drug Administration acting deputy commissioner for food, said at a Tuesday press conference, "We are aware of the signal for lettuce that's been noted by our Michigan partners. What I can say at this point is that we're continuing our traceback investigation on multiple produce items, including the lettuce,"
Michigan health officials said Monday that lettuce or salad greens could be the source of illnesses in the state, but federal health officials said Tuesday that they had not confirmed a source in Michigan. That leaves the investigation focused on produce rather than any single restaurant or supplier, with no named item tied to the outbreak yet.
Michigan case count rises
The outbreak was first identified on June 29, when the Monroe County Health Department said it was investigating a cluster of cases. MDHHS had already sent recommendations earlier this month to restaurants and other commercial kitchens in southeastern Michigan to reduce the risk of exposure.
The CDC sent an alert to doctors around the country on Tuesday warning them about the increase in cyclosporiasis cases, and officials expect the count to keep rising through the end of August. For customers, the practical step is simple: check whether a nearby location has adjusted ingredients before ordering, especially if produce-linked illness has already reached your area.
