WARREN, Mich. – A Warren woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Taco Bell and produce supplier Taylor Farms, alleging she became seriously ill after eating food containing lettuce contaminated with the parasite that causes Cyclospora infection.
Kimberly Harris filed the complaint Friday (July 31) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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Harris is seeking damages from Taco Bell of America LLC, Taco Bell Corp., Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., Taylor Farms California Inc. and other unnamed companies.
Lawsuit alleges contaminated lettuce caused illness
She alleges she purchased food containing Taylor Farms lettuce from a Taco Bell location in Warren on June 12, 2026.
According to the complaint, she developed severe stomach cramping, fatigue, diarrhea and dizziness beginning July 6.
Harris alleges testing later confirmed she had Cyclospora, a parasitic infection that can cause prolonged diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness.
The complaint states Harris previously received a liver transplant in 2008 and claims the infection created additional health risks because she temporarily stopped taking her transplant medication during antibiotic treatment.
The lawsuit includes a message from a nurse stating Harris’ PCR test was positive for Cyclospora and that her transplant team had been notified.
The claims in the lawsuit have not been proven in court.
Harris alleges the lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms was contaminated and that the companies failed to provide food that was safe for consumers.
The complaint accuses the defendants of negligence, strict product liability, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, and gross negligence.
The lawsuit claims Taylor Farms has previously been connected to food safety issues, including a 2013 Cyclospora outbreak involving salad products and other produce recalls.
It also cites a 2006 E. coli outbreak that investigators linked to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants.
Neither Taco Bell nor Taylor Farms was identified in the filing as having admitted wrongdoing.
Allegations tied to 2026 Cyclospora outbreak
The complaint alleges Michigan experienced a significant increase in Cyclospora cases during 2026, with cases rising above typical yearly levels.
Harris claims federal health agencies traced the outbreak to lettuce produced by Taylor Farms and distributed to restaurants and retailers, including Taco Bell.
The complaint alleges Taylor Farms later recalled affected lettuce and that Taco Bell removed the product from its menu.
Health officials’ findings and any connection between Harris’ illness and the companies’ products would be issues for investigation and potential court proceedings.
Plaintiff seeks $25 million in damages
Harris is seeking at least $25 million in damages, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit requests compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages and other damages.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert J. White, with Magistrate Judge Anthony Patti handling referral matters.
The defendants have not yet filed responses to the complaint in the court record.
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