Durand Couple Files Lawsuit Against Taco Bell After Cyclospora Illness

If you've been following Michigan's Cyclospora outbreak, here's another twist. A Durand couple has now filed a federal lawsuit against Taco Bell and its lettuce supplier after they say they got seriously sick from eating at the Taco Bell on Lansing Road back on June 30.

Durand Couple Files Federal Lawsuit Against Taco Bell

Preston and Marie Parrish claim contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce infected them with Cyclospora, the parasite that's been behind one of the biggest foodborne illness outbreaks the country has seen in years. They're seeking more than $75,000 in damages, accusing Taco Bell and Taylor Farms of negligence, breach of warranty, and several other violations.

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Last week, the FDA said its investigation traced the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms. According to the lawsuit, about 90 percent of the Michigan customers who became sick after eating at Taco Bell reported having iceberg lettuce on their food.

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The lawsuit also pointed out that Taylor Farms had been connected to previous foodborne illness outbreaks, including a Cyclospora outbreak in 2013 and an E. coli outbreak tied to onions in 2024.

FDA Investigation Into Cyclospora Takes Major Turn

Since that FDA announcement, Taco Bell has removed the affected lettuce from restaurants and says it no longer uses produce from the supplier identified during the FDA investigation.

READ MORE: Local Restaurants Remove Lettuce From Menus as Outbreak Grows

However, the FDA has since reported that the lettuce test was a false positive, ruling out Taylor Farms and Taco Bell. So where will this lawsuit land? As of now, it will continue according to ABC 12.

What Happens Next in the Taco Bell Lawsuit?

This outbreak has hit Michigan especially hard. More than 6,500 people across the state have been infected, with dozens ending up in the hospital after dealing with severe diarrhea, nausea, and stomach issues.

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As always, it's important to remember these are allegations made in a lawsuit, and the case will ultimately be decided in court.