More Michigan Lawsuits Accuse Taylor Farms, Taco Bell of Negligence in Cyclospora Outbreak

Two more lawsuits against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms were filed last week, bringing the total number of Michigan residents suing the companies to nine over a cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce.

The Lawsuits

Nine total Michigan residents filed two separate lawsuits on Wednesday and Thursday against Taco Bell and Taylor Fresh Foods, owner of Taylor Fresh Farms, seeking financial compensation for damages caused by getting cyclosporiasis after eating at Taco Bell.

These suits come after a married couple from Durand, Michigan sued the two companies for $75,000 on July 17 after they both ate at Taco Bell and later got cyclosporiasis.

What is Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora. Symptoms include:

• Watery, "explosive" diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Other gastrointestinal symptoms

The Outbreak

An outbreak across several states, hitting Michigan the worst, started in mid-June and is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms' central Mexico facility to Taco Bell.

Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of the implicated products and, as an extra precaution, included all of their iceberg lettuce from central Mexico in the recall after the FDA's initial traceback investigation findings on July 17.

Allegations of Negligence

All three lawsuits accuse the companies of negligence resulting in damages including:

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Loss of quality of life

Two of the suits cite past foodborne illness outbreaks linked to Taylor Farms, including:

• A 2013 cyclosporiasis outbreak spanning 25 states, infecting at least 631 people

• A 2024 E. coli outbreak that killed someone and hospitalized 34 others

The newest lawsuit says the FDA found dozens of violations at a Colorado Taylor Farms facility linked to the 2024 E. coli outbreak.

Company Responses

Taylor Farms Statement:

"We are passionate about helping people live healthier lives through fresh produce, and the safety of our food is paramount. When questions were raised about the source of the recent Cyclospora outbreak, we immediately removed all potentially implicated product from the marketplace, and out of an abundance of caution we issued an even broader recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from the region."

Taco Bell Statement:

"We believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests. Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same."

Current Outbreak Statistics

• Nine states affected: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

• Michigan cases: 8,176 with 160 hospitalizations (highest among all states)

• National total: 41 states reporting 4,173 cases this infection season

This season is shaping up to be the largest number of cyclosporiasis cases in U.S. history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is causing the cyclosporiasis outbreak?

A: The outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms' central Mexico facility to Taco Bell restaurants.

Q: What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?

A: Symptoms include watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and other gastrointestinal issues.

Q: Has the implicated product been recalled?

A: Yes, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce from their central Mexico facility.

Source: WWMT NewsChannel 3