Mexico in the crosshairs: Taco Bell pulls lettuce following parasite outbreak that causes explosive diarrhea

The fast-food chain Taco Bell has pulled lettuce potentially contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite from its restaurants, which authorities suspect comes from a supplier in Mexico and have linked to the transmission of a diarrhea outbreak in more than 30 states across the country.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that the outbreak caused by the parasite is related to shredded iceberg lettuce from a single supplier in Mexico.

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"Consumers should avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia," the FDA stated in an advisory.

The CDC has confirmed 1,644 sick people, including 94 hospitalizations after eating at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia between May 13 and July 13, which is 27 times more cases of illness from this parasite than those reported in the same period last year.

Although there is not yet an official measure requiring the company to modify its supply chains, the franchise assured that it will apply the measure indefinitely and nationwide to all potentially contaminated vegetables.

It also explained that it will replace them in less than 24 hours, as it reported in a statement on social media this Friday.

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The CDC reported that this outbreak accounts for 27 times more cases of illness from this parasite than those reported in the same period last year, and acknowledged that "the true number of illnesses could be higher" because the infections are "underdiagnosed."

Authorities have recommended not eating shredded iceberg lettuce in any of the five affected states and asked those who have eaten it in the last two weeks to pay attention to symptoms of Cyclospora.

Symptoms include severe and frequent diarrhea, along with loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, low-grade fever, and vomiting.