Cyclospora Outbreaks Linked to Taco Bell’s Shredded Lettuce
Recent Cyclospora outbreaks in five states have been connected to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. However, the official association currently pertains only to Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
While officials in North Carolina have yet to determine the source of the outbreak there, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services has noted that parsley, cilantro, and lettuce are among the most frequently reported foods associated with cases in the state.
Taco Bell’s lettuce supplier, Taylor Farms, announced on Friday that it would be removing and replacing the lettuce being provided.
Don Schaffner, a food microbiologist at Rutgers University, advised that if someone has consumed Taco Bell and is experiencing diarrhea, they should seek medical attention. Conversely, he suggested that those who have eaten there and are not experiencing such symptoms may likely be fine.
Difficulties in Tracing Cyclospora Sources
Schaffner explained that multiple outbreaks are currently ongoing, and it remains essential to determine whether they are interconnected. He mentioned that if the North Carolina cases are not related to those in Michigan, the precise source may remain unknown—a tough reality.
Tracing Cyclospora can be particularly challenging. Schaffner elaborated that symptoms may not appear for two days to as long as 14 days after consuming contaminated food, as opposed to more immediate reactions from E. coli or Salmonella, which tend to show up within 24 to 72 hours.
The technology available for genetic fingerprinting is not as advanced, making it even more challenging to pinpoint sources. Moreover, the lengthy incubation periods can cause people to forget what they ate, complicating investigations.
Tracing involves detailed interviews with every individual affected, determining their food history, which can be a long and meticulous process. Schaffner noted that epidemiology isn’t an exact science; it’s often about seeking patterns and correlations rather than absolute proof. When many people eat common foods, such as lettuce, isolating the exact culprit becomes particularly difficult.
WRAL Investigates reviewed a questionnaire used in Wake County to gather potential information on those with suspect infections, consisting of 12 pages of questions about travel and food purchases.
During a recent meeting, a woman named Lianne expressed her concerns while in a grocery store parking lot, indicating that she’s avoiding bagged lettuce and other produce. She mentioned she is currently being checked for Cyclospora after falling ill before the outbreak gained larger attention.
Unlike traditional food poisoning, she described the symptoms as lingering for a longer time. Schaffner reassured that most fresh produce available now is deemed safe.
He stated that no fresh fruits or vegetables currently on the market have been traced to the outbreak; otherwise, they would have been recalled.
