A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation has identified iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in several states as a potential source of cyclospora contamination. The Korea Times reports that an alert was issued after the FDA confirmed the presence of the parasite in some of the lettuce used by the chain.

The affected areas include Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Consumers are advised not to eat the contaminated ingredient found in these locations.

According to the FDA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), work is being done with the company to verify if other contaminated iceberg lettuce may have been sold in other states besides those already mentioned.

Taco Bell has assumed responsibility for no longer using the implicated lettuce from its supplier identified during the FDA’s investigation. According to CDC communication reported through the Korea Times, the FDA is working closely with the company to check whether more contaminated iceberg lettuce could be still on sale even beyond the five initially mentioned states.

The incident involves the CDC, FDA, and health authorities of various states. More than 30 U. S. states have signaled Cyclospora infections this year according to the source. However, details regarding total cases or direct association between infected individuals and consumed iceberg lettuce aren’t available yet. Cyclospora is a microscopic spherical parasitic form. Diarrhea accompanied by frequent evacuations sometimes occurs following CDC description via Korea Times. The condition isn't usually considered life-threatening but typically treated with antibiotics. No information provided about clinical conditions of involved persons nor any hospitalizations.

Federal authorities indicate that the lettuce originated from Mexico without providing further detail on origin. Details regarding cultivation zone, processing plant, distribution route, contamination method remain unknown. Neither the supplier nor producer names are specified either.

Alerts issued to consumers limit themselves only to affected iceberg lettuce found at Taco Bell locations in the aforementioned five states. Uncertainty remains as to whether other contaminated iceberg lettuce may still be sold elsewhere besides those already mentioned states. Work being done by FDA leaves open question of potential wider geographic distribution. No recalls reported for super markets, other restaurant chains, or alerts relative different products. Central distinction lies within national cyclospora outbreak and its connection to supplied product identified by FDA.

The incident involves the CDC, FDA, and health authorities of various U. S. states. More than 30 U. S. states have signaled Cyclospora infections this year according to source. However, details regarding total cases or direct association between infected individuals and consumed iceberg lettuce aren’t available yet. Cyclospora is a microscopic spherical parasitic form. Diarrhea accompanied by frequent evacuations sometimes occurs following CDC description via Korea Times. The condition isn't usually considered life-threatening but typically treated with antibiotics. No information provided about clinical conditions of involved persons nor any hospitalizations.

Federal authorities indicate that the lettuce originated from Mexico without providing further detail on origin. Details regarding cultivation zone, processing plant, distribution route, contamination method remain unknown. Neither the supplier nor producer names are specified either.

Alerts issued to consumers limit themselves only to affected iceberg lettuce found at Taco Bell locations in the aforementioned five states. Uncertainty remains as to whether other contaminated iceberg lettuce may still be sold elsewhere besides those already mentioned states. Work being done by FDA leaves open question of potential wider geographic distribution. No recalls reported for super markets, other restaurant chains, or alerts relative different products. Central distinction lies within national cyclospora outbreak and its connection to supplied product identified by FDA.