India, July 17 -- As the number of cyclosporiasis cases rises to almost 7,000 across the US, the source of the contamination remains unidentified, though it could be associated with raw produce like lettuce. Given the uncertainties, many people are questioning whether they should completely eliminate fruits and vegetables from their diets.

Health officials at the federal level are calling on the public to avoid eating lettuce from particular Taco Bell restaurants that obtain fresh produce from a supplier based in Mexico, as the investigation into a rising outbreak of cyclosporiasis - a stomach ailment described by weeks of intense diarrhea - continues.

The alert did not specify the supplier of Taco Bell's lettuce. However, two sources f...