Michigan woman files lawsuit against Taco Bell, Taylor Farms over Cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce

Dawn Koss, a Michigan resident, filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Taco Bell Corp., Taco Bell of America LLC, Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., Taylor Farms California Inc., and other unidentified lettuce suppliers. She alleges she became ill with Cyclospora after eating at a Taco Bell in Yale, Michigan, on June 28, and continues to suffer lingering effects despite antibiotic treatment. The lawsuit claims the defendants failed to properly source, inspect, handle, and monitor lettuce contaminated with the parasite, which federal health officials linked to a multistate outbreak in 2026 affecting multiple states. It seeks compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages, restitution, and attorney fees, and includes claims of strict product liability, negligence, breach of warranty, and violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit also proposes a Michigan subclass and notes that Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico as a potential outbreak source, though the federal investigation remains ongoing. As of Wednesday, the defendants had not responded to the allegations, and the claims have not been proven in court.

(Source：WDIV ClickOnDetroit)