Taco Bell Sued by Three Over Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Taco Bell is facing a wave of lawsuits following a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has affected several Midwestern states. At least three new lawsuits have been filed on behalf of individuals who claim they contracted the parasite after dining at the chain. Among the plaintiffs is a 27-year military veteran who spent several days in the hospital.

David Ott, an Ohio resident, says he ate Taco Supreme burritos at a local Taco Bell on June 18 and June 20. A few days later, he developed severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms that forced him to seek hospital care. At the hospital, he underwent a colonoscopy, a CT scan, and extensive blood and stool tests, which led to a diagnosis of cyclosporiasis.

Another Ohio man, Mohammed Ayyad, visited Taco Bell three times—twice on June 14 and once on June 21. Shortly after, he experienced headaches, chills, and persistent diarrhea. He went to urgent care, where a stool sample tested positive for Cyclospora, and he was prescribed antibiotics.

A Michigan couple also filed a lawsuit, claiming they ate shredded lettuce at a Taco Bell on June 30. They allege the food was "grossly contaminated with fecal matter containing the Cyclospora parasite" and that both suffered cyclospora infections requiring medical treatment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating Taylor Farms as a possible source of the outbreak, which has now affected four states. The number of cases may continue to rise as authorities look into the matter.

Taco Bell has issued a statement saying it has "voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients" from its menus as a precaution, but stressed that no source has been officially confirmed. Representatives for Taco Bell and Taylor Farms have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection that can cause severe diarrhea, weight loss, and dehydration. Outbreaks are often linked to contaminated produce. For Taco Bell and the fast-food industry as a whole, such scandals bring reputational damage and financial costs, but the full extent of the impact will become clearer once the investigation concludes.