Taco Bell faces lawsuits over cyclospora outbreak claims
An Army veteran and other diners allege Taco Bell meals left them sick as officials examine a Midwest cyclosporiasis outbreak.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
A 27-year military veteran says two Taco Bell runs in Ohio ended with a hospital stay, a colonoscopy and a cyclosporiasis diagnosis, according to new legal claims reported by TMZ.
David Ott is one of several people suing Taco Bell in connection with a recent outbreak involving Cyclospora, a parasite linked to severe intestinal illness. TMZ reports the fast-food chain has been named in at least three new lawsuits tied to the outbreak.
Ott alleges he bought and ate Taco Supremes from a Taco Bell in Ohio on June 18 and June 20. Within days, he says, he began suffering abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea and other symptoms.
According to his claim, Ott went to a local hospital after his condition worsened. He says he was admitted and underwent a colonoscopy, a CT scan, blood testing and stool testing before being diagnosed with cyclosporiasis.
Another Ohio customer, Mohammed Ayyad, is also suing, according to TMZ. Ayyad alleges he ate at Taco Bell three times, twice on June 14 and once on June 21, before developing a headache, chills and ongoing diarrhea.
Ayyad says he later went to urgent care and submitted a stool sample on July 6. According to his claim, the sample came back positive for Cyclospora, and he was given antibiotics.
Michigan couple also sues
A Michigan couple has filed a separate lawsuit against the chain, TMZ reports. The couple alleges they ate shredded lettuce at Taco Bell on June 30 and later suffered a Cyclospora infection that required medical treatment.
The couple claims the lettuce was contaminated with fecal matter containing the parasite. Those allegations have not been proven in court.
The lawsuits land as the Food and Drug Administration is reportedly examining Taylor Farms as a possible source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting four Midwestern states, according to TMZ. Officials have not publicly confirmed a source of the outbreak.
Taco Bell has said it took precautionary action while the investigation continues. In a recent statement, the company said it had “voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients,” while also emphasizing that authorities had not identified a confirmed source.
TMZ reported it contacted both Taco Bell and Taylor Farms for comment and had not received a response.
The legal claims are civil allegations, and Taco Bell has not been found liable. The cases add fresh pressure to the chain as diners in the region seek answers about what made them sick and investigators work to trace the outbreak.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.