The CDC and FDA have connected lettuce served at Taco Bell in five states to a cyclospora outbreak.

Federal health authorities have traced the source of a widespread outbreak of the diarrhea-inducing parasite cyclospora to lettuce from Mexico, which was served at Taco Bell locations in five states across the United States.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed this source and cautioned consumers against consuming shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell establishments in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

An investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pinpointed a single supplier of the lettuce, although the federal advisories did not disclose the name of the company.

A microscopic image depicts a round, pinkish-purple Cyclospora cayetanensis cell surrounded by blue-green cells.

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"The FDA is collaborating with the iceberg lettuce supplier to ascertain whether any potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce is still available in the market," including in other states, stated the CDC. "Taco Bell has pledged to cease using any lettuce from the supplier identified in the FDA's traceback investigation."

The CDC, FDA, and public health officials from various states are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclospora infections.

This year, over 30 states have reported cases of infection, with current data indicating that the number of infections has exceeded the previous record of approximately 4,700 set in 2019. Although the illness is generally not life-threatening, it is typically treated with antibiotics.