Taco Bell Knew About Michigan Outbreak Before Public Warning

So, we’ve been talking about this massive Cyclospora outbreak for weeks now, and there’s another twist in the story involving Taco Bell.

Taco Bell Parent Company Contacted Michigan Officials During Outbreak Investigation

According to a new report from Patch, Taco Bell’s parent company was actually talking with Michigan health officials about the parasite outbreak weeks before customers were officially warned.

The report says Michigan officials had a call with Yum! Brands, the company that owns Taco Bell, back on July 2. But it wasn’t until July 14 that Taco Bell confirmed it had removed certain ingredients from some restaurants as a precaution. By that point, investigators were already looking hard at shredded lettuce as a possible source.

Michigan Cyclospora Investigation Initially Focused On Taco Bell Lettuce

And this is where things get complicated. The investigation initially focused on lettuce served at Taco Bell, but federal officials later shifted their attention to Taylor Farms, a major lettuce supplier that recalled iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico.

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The outbreak has now become one of the biggest Cyclospora outbreaks ever reported, with more than 25,000 illnesses across 15 states.

Michigan Cyclospora Outbreak Has Sickened Thousands Across The State

Here in Michigan, the numbers are still staggering. More than 12,000 people have reportedly gotten sick, and officials say two people have died.

Now the big question isn’t just where did this come from, it’s about the timeline. When did companies know there might be a problem, and when did customers deserve to know? Because when you’re talking about a microscopic parasite that causes explosive diarrhea, and yes, that is the actual medical description, people want answers.

Cyclospora Outbreak Appears To Be Slowing In Michigan

Michigan health officials say the outbreak appears to be slowing down, but this story is far from over. Especially as investigators continue looking at the lettuce supply chain and how this whole thing unfolded.