- Shoppers in the U.S. are being urged to continue to avoid pre-washed bagged lettuce and pre-mixed salad kits at stores despite Taco Bell being identified as one source of the cyclospora outbreak.
- Federal health officials have stressed that other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be tied to the outbreak as a record number of cyclospora cases have been reported in more than 30 states.
- Michigan health officials said Friday they are trying to figure out if lettuce from Taylor Farms of Salinas, California, was shipped to other restaurants or stores because many patients suffering from the outbreak said they didn’t eat at Taco Bell.
- There is no evidence the outbreak "is related to poor food handling or preparation at any single restaurant or fast-food chain,” they said in a statement.
- As a result, health officials continue to recommend that shoppers purchase whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits.
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