• Taco Bell linked to nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak due to contaminated lettuce.
• Over 1,600 cases reported across multiple states, primarily in Michigan.
• The outbreak has prompted investigations by the FDA and CDC.
• Taco Bell has temporarily withdrawn lettuce from its menu as a precautionary measure.
• No fatalities reported from the outbreak so far.

A nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to Taco Bell's iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms has sickened thousands across the United States. The FDA's investigation indicated that this lettuce was used in Taco Bell locations in five states where affected individuals had eaten. As of now, 1,645 reported cases of the parasitic infection have been confirmed, with the majority emerging from Michigan, according to CBS News and Reuters.

In response to the outbreak, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed the affected lettuce from its menu in various states. The company made this decision "out of an abundance of caution" following consultations with health officials. They are working to replace the potentially impacted lettuce within 24 hours in the affected restaurants, as indicated in reports from BBC and India Times.

As the investigation unfolds, the CDC has reported that symptoms of cyclosporiasis may take two weeks to manifest, complicating tracing efforts for the outbreak. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, nausea, and sudden weight loss. The outbreak has so far resulted in at least 94 hospitalizations with no reported deaths, highlighting the seriousness of the situation, according to CBS News, Reuters, and India Times.