Is lettuce still safe to eat amid Taco Bell illness probe? Doctors answer

A Cyclospora parasite outbreak has put lettuce in the spotlight as investigators examine a possible link to Taco Bell, raising concerns among consumers about whether it's still safe to eat fresh greens.

While investigators have not identified a specific product or supplier as the source of the outbreak, interviews with sick patients have repeatedly pointed to lettuce and other salad greens as common exposures, and many of those patients also reported eating at Taco Bell before becoming ill.

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State and federal health officials – including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), CDC and FDA – are investigating a possible link between fresh ingredients served at certain Taco Bell locations and the Cyclospora outbreak.

The chain has voluntarily removed select fresh ingredients at certain locations while public health officials continue their investigation.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, California-based Taco Bell Corp. said, "The health and safety of our guests is our top priority. Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities."

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite (Cyclospora cayetanensis) that infects the small intestine after people consume contaminated food or water, according to the CDC.

The agency confirmed that 1,645 domestic Cyclospora cases have been reported since May 1, most often linked to fresh produce, including leafy greens, cilantro and berries.

The CDC is also investigating more than 5,100 additional suspected cases, with a total of 145 people having been hospitalized with the infection.

"Cyclosporiasis is not generally a life-threatening illness for most people," Tammy Lundstrom, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Trinity Health in Michigan, told Fox News Digital.

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"The biggest concern is that it can cause severe, prolonged diarrhea that may last for weeks or even longer if it's not diagnosed and treated."

People should seek medical attention if they have lasting, severe diarrhea. The symptoms can be very prolonged in people with compromised immune systems, Lundstrom noted.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said the parasite has been primarily identified in packaged lettuce and salad bags, but no particular brand has been pinpointed.

"In the meantime, the best strategy is to wash lettuce and all salad greens thoroughly and to wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food," he told Fox News Digital, adding that "the chances of acquiring it still remains extremely low."

Registered dietitian nutritionist Caroline Margolis, the on-staff registered dietitian at Lifeway Foods, an Illinois-based company best known for its kefir and other cultured dairy products, also weighed in on the risk.

"While health officials have identified lettuce as the likely culprit, the exact source remains unknown," she told Fox News Digital.

For now, she recommends skipping prewashed, bagged lettuce and salad mixes.

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"Instead, choose whole heads of lettuce, discarding the outer two to three leaves, and wash and rinse thoroughly," Margolis advised. "If you do develop cyclosporiasis, stay hydrated and seek medical care if needed."

"Be sure to support your recovery with nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest foods and probiotic options like kefir, yogurt, bananas, apples and oatmeal."

Lundstrom reiterated that it ’s unclear whether any specific fresh produce is responsible, even though past outbreaks have sometimes been linked to fruits and vegetables.

"Federal public health authorities have not issued any warnings to avoid lettuce or other fresh produce at this time," she told Fox News Digital. "It is recommended to thoroughly wash lettuce and other leafy greens, which can significantly reduce the amount of any pathogen present."

Until further information is known, Lundstrom said iceberg is currently a better option for lettuce. She recommends first washing the entire head, then discarding the outermost leaves.

"Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when handling and preparing fresh produce," she added.

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For those who wish to take further precautions, frozen and canned produce may be safer options, according to the dietitian.

"It’s important to follow CDC recommendations for safe food and vegetable handling and preparation to help reduce the risk of illness," she said.

Those recommendations include the following.

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Lundstrom added, "It's important to remember that fruits and vegetables in all forms are an essential part of our daily healthy diet, and by exercising these practical preventive steps, people can still enjoy these nutritious foods."