State and federal investigators are probing Taco Bell’s possible connection to cyclosporiasis, an illness known to cause “explosive diarrhea.” This comes amid an outbreak that has infected over 30,000 people in 31 U.S. states according to state health departments.
Signs posted at several Taco Bell locations in Michigan last week warned customers that the restaurants were “currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall.”
Michigan officials as of Tuesday have reported 3,309 cases of the illness. The state typically identifies only about 50 cases a year.
Cyclopsoriasis, which comes from exposure to the Cyclospora parasite is an infection with symptoms including “watery diarrhea” and “explosive bowel movements,” as well as fatigue, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting and a low-grade fever. It is rarely life-threatening.
READ: Hantavirus outbreak on cruise leaves 3 dead, passengers stranded (May 5, 2026)
Cases have gone up in several states including Michigan, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, and New York.
According to a report by Independent, the parasite is transmitted when people consume food or water contaminated with fecal matter, according to the CDC. Past outbreaks have been linked to raspberries, basil, cilantro and salad mixes.
“Most people with healthy immune systems will eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment,” the CDC website states. “However, if not treated, you may be sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.”
Symptoms may take two weeks or longer to appear, and some people remain asymptomatic. These factors make the source of the outbreak hard to find out. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said this week that the latest outbreak may be tied to lettuce or salad greens.
“Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,” MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said in a Monday statement.
“Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more.”
READ: Indian American immigration lawyer Trisha Chatterjee directed to Taco Bell, not ICE (July 28, 2026)
Officials have recommended that people purchase whole heads of lettuce, discarding the outer layers and washing the inner section thoroughly, instead of buying pre-washed lettuce.
According to a report by the USA Today, cyclospora was one of multiple parasites that were removed from a mandatory reporting list last summer under the Trump Administration.
Historically, the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, or FoodNet, tracked cases of food poisoning, referring to a number of pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal and other symptoms. However, last year the program saw significant cutbacks as part of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s changes to the agency