Taco Bell locations in Texas have pulled certain fresh ingredients as federal health officials track a multistate Cyclospora parasite outbreak affecting Montgomery County-area diners.
Conroe-area fast food customers may want to check their recent Taco Bell orders after the chain quietly removed several fresh ingredients from Texas locations, according to Montgomery County Police Reporter. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified Texas as one of the states logging confirmed cases of Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that triggers cyclosporiasis — an intestinal illness marked by prolonged, watery diarrhea that can last weeks without treatment.
For Conroe residents, the concern is practical and immediate: anyone who has eaten at a Texas Taco Bell in recent weeks and is now experiencing persistent stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea should contact a healthcare provider. Cyclospora is not spread person-to-person, but it is treatable with a specific antibiotic combination, meaning early diagnosis matters. Montgomery County Health Department is the local point of contact for residents who want to report symptoms or seek guidance.
The affected Taco Bell locations span the broader Houston metro, which means restaurants serving communities from The Woodlands and Spring to Willis and New Caney could be involved. Residents in Magnolia and Splendora who make regular runs to fast food corridors along major state highways should be aware that the ingredient pull is a precautionary step while the investigation is ongoing.
Cyclospora outbreaks in Texas are not unprecedented. The parasite has been linked in past years to imported fresh produce, particularly herbs and leafy greens, and outbreaks have historically peaked during summer months when such produce is most heavily consumed. The CDC's multistate investigation follows a pattern seen in prior warm-weather food-safety events across the Gulf Coast region.
Residents should watch for any updated guidance from the Montgomery County Health Department or the Texas Department of State Health Services, which may issue more specific advisories about which locations or menu items are under scrutiny as the investigation narrows.
