Health officials are investigating whether Taco Bell may be connected to an outbreak of a parasite that causes ‘explosive diarrhoea’, according to a new report.
The fast-food chain has removed several fresh ingredients from some of its restaurants in the US following a possible connection to cyclosporiasis.
Thousands of cases of the intestinal illness have been reported in the US, as officials try to identify the source of the outbreak.
According to The Washington Post, state and federal investigators are examining Taco Bell after some people who became ill recently ate at the restaurant.
Last week, the Taco Bell locations in Michigan warned customers that lettuce, coriander, onions, pico de gallo and guacamole were temporarily unavailable because of a nationwide recall.
A Taco Bell spokesperson 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.’
As the investigation continues, officials have explained that the outbreak is not believed to be confined to Taco Bell.
The illness, which is caused by the parasite Cyclospora, is believed to spread through food or water contaminated with human waste.
Symptoms can include watery diarrhoea, severe or ‘explosive’ bowel movements, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and a low-grade fever.
So far, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that there have been 843 cases across 31 states since May.
From this number, 86 people have been hospitalised with the real number of infections expected to be much higher.
In Michigan in particular, 3,309 cases have been reported compared to around 50 in a typical year.
Meanwhile, cases in Illinois, Virginia, Ohio and New York have also started to increase.
Dr Natasha Bagdasarian, the department’s chief medical executive, said in a statement: ‘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.
‘Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation.’
Officials are advising people to buy whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-packaged salad.
Most healthy people will recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment, although the illness can be prolonged and last several days or even more than a month