Lawsuits filed over cyclosporiasis illnesses linked to Taco Bell; company removes suspect lettuce

An Ohio man filed suit Thursday in federal court alleging he contracted cyclosporiasis after three meals at a Taco Bell in North Olmsted, Ohio. Mohammed Ayyad ate Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and Avocado Ranch Chicken Stackers during mid-June visits and later developed a severe headache, chills, vomiting and persistent diarrhea, according to the complaint reported by the New York Post.

A stool test on July 9 confirmed the parasite; Ayyad missed two weeks of work and continues to experience nausea.

-based franchisee that operates about 300 Taco Bell locations, as defendant. Attorney Bill Marler said he plans to add Taylor Farms to the case and has been contacted by more than 30 people, 90 percent of whom reported eating at Taco Bell. On Friday a Michigan couple filed a separate federal suit alleging they became ill after eating at a Taco Bell in Durand, Michigan, on June 30.

Taco Bell of America and Taylor Farms as defendants and claimed they consumed lettuce carrying fecal contamination. Both suits seek unspecified damages. Taco Bell said it is voluntarily removing potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states.

Taylor Farms announced a recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico after receiving information from the FDA. The CDC has recorded 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in 34 states since May 1, with Michigan the hardest hit. At least 141 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

The agency is reviewing more than 5,100 additional reports. New York State recorded 511 cases between May 1 and July 10. The FDA has identified lettuce as the source in about 90 percent of Michigan Taco Bell cases.