Taco Bell removes lettuce in some states over cyclosporiasis link

The Washington Post reported earlier on Thursday that shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by California-based supplier Taylor Farms has been identified by investigators as a potential source of contamination in the outbreak of the parasitic intestinal infection.

The outbreak, which began on May 1, has been concentrated in Michigan, with Ohio and New York also reporting a large number of infections. Michigan health officials reported 4,312 cases of the parasitic illness on Thursday.

While the U.S. has experienced cyclosporiasis outbreaks before, the scale and geographic spread of this year's outbreak are significantly larger, prompting concern among health officials.

Earlier this week, Taco Bell said it had removed a limited number of ingredients from some restaurants as a precautionary measure.

Bloomberg News reported earlier on Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to soon advise consumers to avoid shredded lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana.