Man Sues Taco Bell After Contracting Parasite

An Ohio resident has filed a lawsuit against Pacific Bells, the owner of a Taco Bell in North Olmsted, Ohio, following a severe illness. The plaintiff, Mohammed R. Ayyad, claims he contracted cyclosporiasis, an infection causing intense diarrhea and cramping, after consuming food at the establishment on June 14 and 21. He began experiencing symptoms on June 23 and later tested positive for the parasite on July 9.

Ayyad's attorney, Bill Marler, indicated that this is one of many lawsuits anticipated due to a widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak. He is also representing a woman in a separate suit against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms, who became ill after eating at a different Taco Bell location featuring iceberg lettuce. The investigation has traced the outbreak to iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico.

As of July 16, Ohio reported 1,249 cyclosporiasis cases, while the CDC noted 1,645 confirmed cases nationwide since May 1. Taco Bell has since removed the implicated lettuce from its supply chain nationwide. Marler stated that resolved cyclospora cases have ranged from $25,000 to $1 million, depending on the severity and duration of symptoms.