Federal officials link Taco Bell lettuce to cyclospora outbreak in five states

Federal health officials have identified iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states as the likely source of a cyclospora outbreak, according to reports on Thursday. The produce came from a single supplier in Mexico, officials said.

The restaurants involved were in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and one other state, according to the reporting. Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause severe diarrheal illness.

The investigation is still under way, and officials have not said whether any other food items are involved. Taco Bell has not publicly detailed the scope of the issue in the source material.

Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States are often traced to fresh produce, and federal agencies have previously investigated similar contamination cases linked to imported vegetables.