WASHINGTON, July 16 (DC Times Online) — Michigan health officials say lettuce or salad greens are the leading suspect in a cyclosporiasis outbreak, but they have not identified a brand, supplier or restaurant, and no Taco Bell recall has been announced.
Federal and state health officials are also investigating whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in the outbreak, according to two people familiar with the inquiry.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a possible source, although other foods cannot be ruled out. The agency said no specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified.
Taco Bell said public health officials have not confirmed a link to the chain or to any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. The company said it voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precaution while it continued to monitor the situation.
Fox Business reported that the Food and Drug Administration had not announced a Taco Bell recall and that its public notices did not mention Taco Bell in connection with the outbreak.
Michigan officials have described the outbreak as the state’s largest-ever parasitic outbreak, but they have not publicly named the source.
