Gut busters Probe into explosive diarrheal cases points to Taco Bell and bad lettuce Health officials have not confirmed a source yet—and there may be multiple sources. Beth Mole – Jul 14, 2026 10:49 am | 29 Lettuces and salad greens for sale at a grocery store on May 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty | Al Drago Lettuces and salad greens for sale at a grocery store on May 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty | Al Drago Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Lettuce and salad greens have become the prime suspects in an explosive outbreak of the diarrheal parasite Cyclospora , which is surging nationwide but erupting to extraordinary heights in Michigan. In recent years, Michigan has typically reported around 50 cases of cyclosporiasis, which causes urgent bouts of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. But, this year, as of July 14 , the state has reported 3,309 cases of the food-borne pathogen.
Of those 44 have been hospitalized. Based on interviews with more than 1,000 people sickened in Michigan, the latest data is pointing to leafy greens as the source, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,” Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said in an announcement . “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/07/taco-bell-eyed-in-explosive-diarrheal-outbreak-leafy-greens-suspected/
Of those 44 have been hospitalized. Based on interviews with more than 1,000 people sickened in Michigan, the latest data is pointing to leafy greens as the source, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families,” Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said in an announcement . “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/07/taco-bell-eyed-in-explosive-diarrheal-outbreak-leafy-greens-suspected/