Health officials in Central Florida are investigating Taylor Farms, a major supplier of shredded lettuce to Taco Bell, as the potential source of a Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened 25 people in the region. The Florida Department of Health reported 5 cases in Seminole County, 4 each in Lake Orange and Osceola Counties, with no confirmed cases in Marion County as of Thursday. Statewide, 106 Cyclospora cases have been reported since June 1, with Miami-Dade and Manatee Counties accounting for 94 of those cases.
The outbreak has drawn attention from the CDC, which is examining whether contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms could be the cause. Seminole County health officials confirmed the local outbreak is the most significant in Central Florida, though the state is not among the five initially linked to the supplier. Taylor Farms operates four facilities in Orlando, but the health department has not confirmed whether any of them supply Taco Bell locations in the area.
Taco Bell is not the only retailer using Taylor Farms products. The company also supplies bagged lettuce to grocery stores, raising concerns about potential wider exposure. Health officials emphasized that data from the Florida Department of Health was last updated nearly a week ago, suggesting the actual number of cases could be higher.
A representative from Taylor Farms has not yet responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, health officials urge residents experiencing symptoms like watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, or nausea to seek medical care and report illnesses to local health departments. The investigation is ongoing, with no confirmed link to Taco Bell products established yet.