Heather Kebert alleges that she consumed lettuce contaminated with the parasite at a Taco Bell restaurant in Pennsylvania
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NEED TO KNOW
- A Pennsylvania woman is suing Taco Bell and Taylor Farms, claiming she contracted cyclosporiasis after eating at a Taco Bell restaurant in July
- Heather Kebert’s complaint alleges that Taylor Farms supplied the iceberg lettuce that was linked to her illness, which resulted in hospitalization
- Over 15,000 people in 47 states have fallen ill amid a nationwide cyclospora outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
A Pennsylvania woman is suing Taco Bell and Taylor Farms, claiming that she was hospitalized after consuming iceberg lettuce that was contaminated with the cyclospora parasite.
Heather Kebert alleged that she became ill after consuming an Avocado Ranch Chicken Stacker purchased from a Taco Bell restaurant on July 7, according to the complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and obtained by PEOPLE.
The item is made with iceberg lettuce, according to the fast food company’s website, which Kebert’s lawsuit alleges was supplied by Taylor Farms.
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, and infected people can experience a range of symptoms from mild discomfort to frequent, watery and uncontrollable diarrhea that can last days or up to a month.
The parasite can also cause reoccurring illness, and is spread through contaminated fresh produce, such as iceberg lettuce.
PEOPLE reached out to representatives for Taco Bell and Taylor Farms, but did not immediately receive a response.
“Ms. Kebert did not know, and did not have a reason to know, that the Product she purchased and consumed was contaminated with the diarrhea-causing parasite Cyclospora,” the complaint alleges. “Ms. Kebert expected the food she purchased to be safe for consumption and not contaminated by harmful parasites, which can cause a serious infection.”
Kebert alleges that she began experiencing symptoms days later, which included stomach aches, fatigue, dehydration, and diarrhea. After seeking medical treatment, she tested positive for cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, and spent time in the hospital.
“This is not like someone that ate and got food poisoning, is better 24 hours later,” Rob Peirce, an attorney for Kebert, said, per CBS News. “This is an illness that can raise up in the future, unfortunately, so it’ll take her some time to completely recover.”
PEOPLE reached out to Peirce for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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Kebert and her legal team further allege that Taco Bell and Taylor Farms failed to inform customers of the risks associated with consuming their food, despite “exclusive and/or superior knowledge concerning the composition of the Product.”
As of Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported more than 15,000 cases of cyclosporiasis across 47 states, including hundreds in Pennsylvania, according to Reuters.
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