Taco Bell told the Post it would keep monitoring the situation and follow authorities’ guidance.
“Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer,” the company told the Post. “While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure.”
In Michigan, where cases have been concentrated, media reports said notices were posted at some Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants last week telling customers the chain was “currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro-Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall.”
In a statement, Michigan’s health department said lettuce or salad greens are likely the source of its outbreak, but cautioned that it can’t yet rule out any vectors.
While the CDC has only confirmed 1,645 cases domestically, along with hundreds of other cases acquired abroad, state health departments have confirmed more than 7,000 cases since May 1 of this year.