Some folks who unfortunately caught the explosive diarrhea parasite are taking legal action against Taco Bell.
As we previously reported, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration linked shredded iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia to the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as cyclosporiasis. More than 1,644 people who contracted the illness, which causes nausea, vomiting, and explosive diarrhea, reported eating at the fast food restaurant in those states.
Related: Trump’s CDC Cuts Helped Cause Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Spread?
The agencies did not name the supplier of the lettuce, other than saying it came from a single supplier in Mexico. However, two federal officials confirmed to The New York Times that Taylor Farms supplied the affected lettuce. It is important to note the CDC and FDA have not publicly named the company as the source of the outbreak yet. Following the update from the agencies this week, Taco Bell is now getting sued! TMZ reported on Friday that the restaurant has been named as a defendant in at least three lawsuits over the explosive diarrhea outbreak.
In one suit, David Ott, a 27-year-old military veteran who is being represented by Ron Simon & Associates, claimed he purchased and ate some Taco Supremes from a Taco Bell in Ohio on June 18 and June 20. And a couple of days later, he allegedly experienced abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, and more. David said when the symptoms worsened, he went to the hospital. According to the lawsuit, he was admitted and “underwent a colonoscopy, a CT scan, and extensive blood and stool studies” before doctors diagnosed him with cyclosporiasis.
Another man in Ohio named Mohammed Ayyad claimed he had Taco Bell three times, twice on June 14 and once on June 21, and began to suffer from a headache, chills, and persistent diarrhea. He said he went to urgent care and gave a stool sample on July 6, which tested positive for cyclospora. He was then prescribed antibiotics, per the lawsuit.
And finally, a couple in Michigan sued Taco Bell. They claimed they ate shredded lettuce at the establishment on June 30, and the food was “grossly contaminated with fecal matter containing the Cyclospora parasite.” The couple alleged they had a Cyclospora infection and were forced to get medical care.
Taco Bell has not responded to the lawsuits at this time. However, the brand took to social media on Friday night to confirm they removed the affected lettuce from their restaurants:
“We want you to hear it from us. We take your health and safety seriously and have removed all affected Taylor farms lettuce from Taco Bell stores. So go ahead and enjoy your Taco Bell today. You always got us. We always got you. See you in the drive-thru.”
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[Image via MEGA/WENN]
