A crispy beef taco from Taco Bell Corp. is arranged for a photograph in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Taco Bell has pulled lettuce from one of its suppliers as federal investigators probe a fast-moving Cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to restaurants in five states.
What we know:
The fast food chain said late Thursday it voluntarily removed potentially affected shredded iceberg lettuce from a supplier in five states and is indefinitely eliminating the ingredient nationwide. Replacement lettuce is expected to be in place within 24 hours in impacted markets, according to a news release.
Taco Bell said the move follows "ongoing conversations with public health officials" and called public health a shared responsibility among restaurants, suppliers and authorities. The company urged other food service operators to take similar precautions.
RELATED: Cyclospora outbreak possibly linked to lettuce from Taco Bell supplier: Report
Taco Bell lettuce in 5 states confirmed as source
Federal investigators are tracing a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal illness. Health officials have warned consumers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants while the investigation continues.
What they're saying:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said a traceback is ongoing, a process that often triggers legal scrutiny when contamination crosses multiple states.
"FDA is working with the supplier of iceberg lettuce to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market," including in other states, the CDC said. "Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA’s traceback investigation."
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Cyclosporiasis outbreak
By the numbers:
According to CDC data, 34 states are reporting a combined 1,645 Cyclosporiasis cases as of July 15, but local and state health data show at least 6,756 cases in 38 states.
The CDC says case numbers are likely much higher than what the agency is reporting.
The illness is not usually life-threatening and is typically treated with antibiotics.
Why you should care:
Cyclosporiasis infections typically cause watery diarrhea, fatigue, stomach cramps and loss of appetite, with symptoms often lasting weeks without treatment.
In the U.S., the parasite is typically spread through fresh produce in hot weather. It doesn’t spread from person-to-person.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by Taco Bell and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.