Could the ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite affect grocery prices?

(NewsNation) — A cyclospora outbreak that health officials have linked to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states is raising a new question for grocery shoppers: Could it affect produce prices?

In a notice posted Thursday night, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

The CDC said investigators had identified a single supplier in Mexico but did not name the company. A federal official briefed on the investigation said it was Taylor Farms of Salinas, Calif., according to The Associated Press.

Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite that can cause explosive diarrhea, has sickened thousands of people nationwide, with cases reported in more than 30 states. Health authorities are still investigating and say not every recent illness may be linked to a single source.

Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified in the investigation, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Taylor Farms said in a statement Friday afternoon that it is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and sold in the U.S. The company said none of its branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce or are associated with the outbreak.

The FDA stressed that other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be identified as the........

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