Federal Officials Link Taco Bell Lettuce to Cyclospora Outbreak

Why it matters locally: Ohio is specifically named as one of the states where Taco Bell restaurants received lettuce linked to a cyclospora outbreak, indicating potential health risks for residents who consumed affected products.

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Federal health officials have identified lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants across five U.S. states as a source of an outbreak involving the parasite cyclospora. This produce originated in Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the link after investigating reported illnesses. Investigators traced the contaminated lettuce to locations in states including Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Cyclospora infection typically causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and fatigue. People can contract the parasite by consuming contaminated food or water.