Uh oh! This is definitely not the kind of headline any fast food chain wants to see!
Federal and state health officials are now apparently investigating whether Taco Bell could have some connection to a fast-moving outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has already sickened thousands of people across the United States.
According to reporting first on Tuesday, from the Washington Post and later the New York Post, some people who became sick told investigators they had recently eaten at Taco Bell, causing officials to zero in on the popular fast food chain. Meanwhile, though, others who fell ill said they hadn’t visited the restaurant at all. That means the investigation is still very much unfolding.
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Still, eyebrows were raised after some Taco Bell locations in Michigan reportedly removed several fresh ingredients from their menus and posted notices for customers. According to local Michigan radio outlet WWJ News, signs at certain restaurants read:
“We are currently unable to sell lettuce, cilantro onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole due to a nationwide recall. We apologize for the inconvenience. Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them.”
The company, however, is stressing that no official connection has been made. In a statement reported by the New York Post, Taco Bell said:
“The health and safety of our guests is our top priority. Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities.”
Meanwhile, experts say it’s common for restaurants and food suppliers to be involved in investigations before the public knows exactly what’s happening.
For example, food safety attorney Bill Marler told the Post:
“Most of the time in these outbreaks, the government and [the food] industry knows way more than we do. Taco Bell is either being proactive or they know something that we don’t know.”
Scary…
Patrick Quade, the founder and chief executive of iwaspoisoned.com, also suggested the reports deserve serious attention, saying:
“These reports are an indication that Taco Bell definitely warrants attention.”
Even scarier…
Adding another layer of intrigue, North Carolina State University professor Lee-Ann Jaykus questioned whether the company’s precautionary actions could indicate investigators are following a particular lead. She said:
“Taco Bell may be saying this out of an abundance of caution but the question is whether they have background information indicating that we may see a recall?”
As we’ve been reporting for a couple weeks now, the illness at the center of the investigation is caused by a parasite known as cyclospora, which can trigger miserable symptoms including explosive diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and other gastrointestinal problems. According to health experts, infections are commonly linked to contaminated water or fresh produce such as lettuce, salad greens, basil, cilantro, and raspberries that have been exposed to contaminated water.
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Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 5,100 people across 34 states have potentially become ill since May. Michigan has been hit especially hard, with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reporting 2,640 cases after a dramatic increase over a single weekend.
Sheesh…
But despite growing concern, no recalls connected to this outbreak have been announced so far. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services explained why in their own statement about the ongoing investigation:
“While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out. No specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source.”
The department also declined to say whether investigators have specifically spoken with Taco Bell, but did note:
“The agency continues to work with companies to conduct menu ingredient confirmation and product traceback efforts within the supply chain.”
Meanwhile, iwaspoisoned.com — a website that tracks reports of suspected foodborne illness — told the New York Post that ten people submitted reports on their website specifically after eating at a Taco Bell location in Tawas City, Michigan. So scary!!!
In case you’ve been out of the loop on this whole diarrhea outbreak story — and the fast-moving Taco Bell saga, more specifically — you can catch up (below):
And again, it’s worth repeating that investigators have not outright identified Taco Bell, any supplier, or any specific ingredient as the confirmed source of the outbreak.
In the meantime, health officials continue to trace the supply chain and examine evidence as they work to determine exactly what caused thousands of people to become ill.
Until those answers arrive, this remains an active investigation — and we’ll continue watching closely to see what officials uncover next. So unsettling!
Meanwhile, fans of the delicious taco chain are calling bulls**t. If you ask them, they think TB is being made a scapegoat to distract from the fact that Trump’s administration made cuts last year that ultimately resulted in the parasite at play no longer being monitored/reported as it used to be. Hmm… could both be true??
Fans are saying online:
“Leave the bell outta this”
“I had it and I did not eat at Taco Bell”
“Yeah but the question arises did all the people who experience these issues eat Taco Bell”
“There are taco bells everywhere. Yet the Midwest is being hit the hardest. Maybe different suppliers?”
“So all the people who are sick ate only at Taco Bell? No one ate at Subway? Or Jimmy John’s? No one ate at McDonald’s or Wendy’s? Only Taco Bell? If you want to know the source of the problem, look at RFK Jr. We need smart serious people in charge of HHS, not [former] drug addicts.”
“I’ll take my chance. Nothing keeps me away from my nachos bell grande”
“sure blame Taco bell. thats an easy target. nothing to do with CDC and RFK Jr”
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[Image via MEGA/WENN]