FDA identifies Taco Bell lettuce as source of diarrhea…

Three inspectors in safety vests and masks examining romaine lettuce and recording data

Federal health investigators officially linked the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell, the Food and Drug Administration reported on Thursday. Lab results as of Monday confirmed over 1,600 cyclosporiasis cases reported since the beginning of May across 34 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness hospitalized dozens of patients but has not proved fatal.

Officials on Monday also reported over 5,100 suspected cyclosporiasis cases across the nation which have not been formally diagnosed. Cyclosporiasis occurs when individuals consume food or water infected with the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, which will infect the small intestine and cause watery diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptoms appear up to two weeks after a patient’s initial exposure to the parasite, according to the CDC. Health investigators specifically analyzed a group of 190 patients from across five states and found that over 90% reported eating lettuce at Taco Bell, according to the FDA. Despite over 30 states reporting cases, officials only warned against eating Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Michigan reported the most cases of any state, local health officials reporting more than 5,000 cases as of Friday. New York marked the second-highest case count, with nearly 400 cases reported as of Monday, according to state officials. Where is the lettuce coming from? The FDA tracers identified a specific lettuce supplier from Mexico that supplied shredded iceberg to the same Taco Bell locations where people got sick. Federal officials planned to work with the Mexican supplier to determine how much potentially contaminated lettuce remained on the market. It remains unclear whether the same lettuce also caused illnesses outside of the five confirmed states.

Previous U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreaks stemmed from contaminated produce, including raspberries, basil, broccoli, sugar snap peas, and leafy greens, according to the CDC. Several Democratic lawmakers blamed the outbreak on the Trump administration’s budget cuts. Beginning on July 1, 2025, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, or FoodNet, a Trump administration collaboration between several federal and state health agencies, made testing for cyclospora optional. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was responsible for that change, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., wrote Wednesday. Trump officials removed cyclosporiasis from the CDC’s tracked pathogens when it reduced foodborne illness tracking requirements last year, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., wrote earlier this week.

Source: FDA identifies Taco Bell lettuce as source of diarrhea… | WORLD

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 37:7

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NYC man spent weeks suffering from cyclosporiasis: “My body would not allow me to eat food”

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There have been 517 reported cases of the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis across New York state since May, and nearly 400 of them are in New York City, health officials say. It comes as United States health officials investigate outbreaks across the country. “I was having a lot of pain” Chase Strangio, an attorney from Queens, says he spent weeks suffering from the illness. “Felt really lethargic, nauseous, had a low-grade fever, had diarrhea,” he said.

When he began experiencing these symptoms back in May, he thought he had a stomach virus, but as the days progressed, he didn’t see any improvements. “My body would not allow me to eat food, and it even reached the point where drinking water was challenging,” he said, “and I was having a lot of pain.” No one in Strangio’s family got sick, but many friends he had lunch with a week prior did.

“The common ingredient we were able to discern was either a lettuce or a cilantro,” he said. Research led Strangio to request a stool test, which came back positive for Cyclospora, the parasite which causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis. Strangio said he was put on an antibiotic, and he’s now feeling much better. Doctors stress handling produce properly Cyclosporiasis cases have been identified in 34 states since May 1.

In New York City alone, there are 374 cases. “This is three times the amount of our typical rate of Cyclospora infections,” City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet confirmed a specific source for this outbreak, but past outbreaks have been linked to various produce such as raspberries, leafy greens, onions, basil and cilantro.

“The actual parasite lives on the outside of those fruits and vegetables,” Martin said. “And so we’re working with our colleagues at the federal government and at the state to identify, is there one retailer or wholesaler upstream that is particularly causing this.” Mount Sinai South Nassau Chief of Infectious Diseases Dr. Aaron Glatt says it’s not about avoiding fruits and vegetables, but handling them properly.

“Cooking them or making sure that they’re washed well should be adequate,” he said. “If people are just going to eat junk food, that has its risks too … And I think having a well-balanced diet is something that’s very important.” Doctors also stress this is not spread from person to person. It can take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear, and the CDC says they can last longer without treatment. If you think you are infected, seek medical care.

Source: NYC man spent weeks suffering from cyclosporiasis: “My body would not allow me to eat food” – CBS New York

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Revelation 22:21

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Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas

anonymous man hanging toilet paper in bathroom

A parasite that causes explosive, watery diarrhea has sickened 145 people across 20 US states, prompting an ongoing investigation by federal and state health officials into the source of the outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cases were reported between May and June 16 and involve patients ranging in age from 5 to 86 years old. So far, 20 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Breaking It Down What is Shigella and how does it spread? What are the symptoms of Shigella infection? How are health authorities responding to the outbreak in Wayanad? Created with AI. Health officials believe the illnesses are linked to contaminated food because none of the patients reported recent international travel.

However, investigators have not yet identified the exact source. The parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness that commonly leads to explosive, watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Symptoms usually appear about a week after infection and mainly affect the intestines, although some infected people may not develop symptoms. The CDC said local, state, and federal public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases spanning multiple states. Officials also noted that the true number of infections may be higher because some cases may not have been diagnosed.

List of 20 States Affected By The Outbreak The CDC has reported cases in the following states and Washington, DC:

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut
  • Pennsylvania
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Colorado
  • Alaska
  • Washington DC

Among the affected areas, New York has reported the highest number of cases, with between 31 and 80 infections, followed by Texas and Illinois, which have each recorded between 11 and 30 cases. While cyclosporiasis can resolve on its own, symptoms may last for a month or longer if left untreated, increasing the risk of dehydration. The CDC says the infection is typically treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim. The agency also recommends following safe food handling and storage practices. Previous US outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, including cilantro, raspberries, sweet peas, mesclun lettuce and basil.

Source: Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas | Times Now

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:2-3

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