In the United States, thousands of people became ill after eating shredded lettuce at some Taco Bell restaurants. US health officials found that the lettuce was contaminated with Cyclospora, a tiny parasite that causes stomach illness and severe diarrhoea. The lettuce came from a supplier that sent products to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

The outbreak happened because the lettuce was contaminated with Cyclospora, which spreads when food or water has contact with human waste. Cyclospora is very hard to remove from fresh vegetables such as lettuce, because it clings to surfaces and is difficult to wash off completely.

As a result, Taco Bell removed the affected lettuce from all its restaurants in the country and started using a new supplier. The investigation continues as health officials try to find out if other restaurants also received the contaminated lettuce.