Taco Bell pulls key ingredient amid explosive diarrhoea parasite outbreak
Taco Bell has been forced to pull several fresh ingredients from its menu amid a parasite outbreak that causes explosive and watery diarrhoea, spreading rapidly across America.
Almost 1,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in Michigan; this is an abnormally large surge, as the state usually identifies only 50 cases every year. Taco Bell is making sure that no eyes land on its Mexican-inspired menus.
Signs posted at several locations, including in Metro Detroit, have informed customers that most of the fresh produce will not be available to order.
“We are currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro, Onion, Pico de Gallo and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall,” the notice reads, as per WWJ.
The sign explained, “We apologize for the inconvenience. Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them.”
Though cyclosporiasis indeed spreads through raw produce and contaminated water, there has not been an official produce supplier or produce type identified as the source of the gruelling outbreak. Therefore, Taco Bell’s rescinding of the ingredients has raised several eyebrows.
Michigan isn’t the only location in deep water; Ohio has also reported a sharp increase, with 177 cases as of July 2nd. However, it has not yet been declared a national health emergency.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptom is watery diarrhoea paired with “frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements”. Often, the symptoms can resolve, only to return shortly thereafter.
This isn’t the first surge in cases; in 2022, hundreds in Florida caught cyclosporiasis from packaged salad kits that contained contaminated lettuce.
Thankfully, the illness is not usually life-threatening. It can typically be treated with antibiotics. Those in the Michigan area have been advised to thoroughly wash their produce before consuming it in the hopes of getting rid of contamination.