Lead

US health investigators have traced a cyclospora parasite outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC has identified 1,645 people in five states linked to the outbreak so far. Health officials identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico as the likely source of the contamination, distributed to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Coverage comparison

Both Deutsche Welle and The Guardian reported the investigation's focus on Taco Bell lettuce. Deutsche Welle noted that a single supplier from Mexico was identified and that Taylor Farms later confirmed testing pointed to a specific independent farm associated with the company. The Guardian, citing unnamed sources familiar with the investigation, reported that federal health officials were looking at iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms as a possible source. The Guardian also reported that Taco Bell removed potentially impacted lettuce from its supply chain, a fact also confirmed by Deutsche Welle.

The two outlets reported slightly different details: Deutsche Welle emphasized the CDC's identification of 1,645 cases across five states and the voluntary removal of lettuce by Taylor Farms. The Guardian reported the same case number but added that 145 people have been hospitalized. The Guardian also placed the outbreak in the context of criticism of the Trump administration's cuts to federal food safety programs, a perspective not present in Deutsche Welle's report.

Key claims

  • The CDC has identified 1,645 people in five states linked to the Taco Bell outbreak, as reported by both Deutsche Welle and The Guardian.
  • A single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico was identified as the likely source, as reported by Deutsche Welle. The Guardian reported federal health officials were looking at Taylor Farms as a possible source.
  • Taco Bell removed the lettuce from its restaurants, as reported by both outlets.
  • Taylor Farms was linked to the outbreak and is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
  • The Guardian reported that 145 people have been hospitalized with the illness.
  • The Guardian reported that the Trump administration has faced criticism for its cuts to federal food safety programs, citing criticism of the administration's decision to limit the scope of a CDC program.

Perspectives

Taco Bell

Taco Bell stated it took immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states, and that the affected ingredient is being indefinitely removed from its supply chain nationwide, to be replaced within 24 hours in select states. The company encouraged other restaurants and retailers to take similar precautionary action, noting that no official advisory had been issued.

Taylor Farms

Taylor Farms said testing by health officials pointed to "a specific independent farm" associated with the company and that it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.

CDC officials

CDC Deputy Director Gwen Biggerstaff commented on the broader cyclospora situation, saying, "We're seeing an unusually high number of cyclosporiasis cases this summer." The CDC has also reported that the true number of infections is likely higher than the numbers show.