Potential Source of ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Parasite ID’d: Report

Taco Bell lettuce supplied by a popular produce company has been identified as a potential source of contamination behind the parasitic illness saddling thousands of Americans with explosive diarrhea, according to a new report.

Shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to the fast food chain by Taylor Farms has been linked to this summer’s outbreak of cyclosporiasis, according to two individuals familiar with the investigation, The Washington Post reported.

“The signal we have gotten is that there is a very high percentage of people who got sick at Taco Bell, and when investigators asked what their menu items were in common, lettuce came up frequently,” said one of the individuals who spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.

When the Food and Drugs Administration asked the Mexican fast food giant where they get their lettuce from, Taylor Farms was identified as supplying to stores in Michigan and three other states, where the outbreak has been the largest, according to the source.

Authorities in Michigan previously said that the leafy greens are suspected as the source causing hundreds of cases of the stomach illness based on interviews with over 1,000 patients. (Read more from “Potential Source of ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Parasite ID’d: Report” HERE)

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