An Ohio resident has filed the first lawsuit connected to the widespread cyclospora outbreak traced to Taco Bell, after experiencing prolonged severe symptoms.
According to food safety attorney Bill Marler, the suit was filed on behalf of Mohammed R. Ayyad against the Pacific Bells, LLC franchise operating a North Olmsted Taco Bell. Marler emphasized the goal to identify the exact source of the parasite and prompt measures preventing future contamination.
Details of the Outbreak and Lawsuit
Ayyad visited the Taco Bell on June 14 and June 21, developing symptoms including severe headache, chills, vomiting, and enduring diarrhea by June 23. After testing positive on July 9, he remained ill for several weeks. Health authorities have linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to multiple Taco Bell locations by a single farm in Mexico.
The implicated supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico, voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after health investigators traced the outbreak there. The outbreak has now surpassed 5,000 reported cases in Michigan alone, making it one of the largest foodborne parasite outbreaks recorded in the United States. Additional cases have been confirmed across at least 34 states including Ohio, New York, Illinois, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Taylor Fresh Foods issued a statement expressing concern for those affected and the impact on consumer trust in fresh produce safety. The suit also names unidentified growers and suppliers, urging anyone affected to seek diagnosis, retain purchase receipts, and document symptoms.
Marler stated, "Cyclospora is badly undercounted. The CDC says so itself, and you cannot prevent what you refuse to count."
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
