Health officials urge produce safety measures as outbreak investigation expands
Public health officials stress produce safety measures as cyclospora outbreak investigation advances nationwide.
Event / Health
US Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Cyclosporiasis outbreak across multiple U.S. states linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico, resulting in illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.
6 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 19 Jul, 05:59 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce in five U.S. states
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness, was linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The outbreak resulted in approximately 100 hospitalizations and no deaths as of mid-July 2026, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FDA reverses cyclospora finding in Taylor Farms lettuce as false positive
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on July 19 that laboratory experts re-reviewed lettuce sample results from Taylor Farms de Mexico and concluded the initial positive finding for cyclospora should be considered a false positive. The FDA stated that due to the complexity of cyclospora detection, the finding did not represent true amplification. As of July 19, the FDA had not identified any confirmed positive sample results for cyclospora.
Taylor Farms initiates voluntary recall of lettuce from central Mexico
Taylor Fresh Foods, a California-based global produce supplier, completed a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17, 2026. The recall was initiated after federal investigators traced lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants to Taylor Farms de Mexico. The recalled product was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico and distributed to retail stores, restaurants, and food-service customers.
FDA confirms lettuce sample tested positive for cyclospora was false positive
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on July 19, 2026, that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms that initially tested positive for cyclospora on July 18 was a false positive. The FDA stated that upon re-review, laboratory experts concluded the finding did not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive due to the complexity in detecting cyclospora.
Ohio reports 1,192 cyclospora cases across 70 counties
The Ohio Department of Health reported 1,192 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across 70 counties as of July 16, 2026, with 86 people hospitalized. Lucas County in northwest Ohio had the highest case count with 249 cases. The outbreak cases predominantly occurred in June and July 2026, beginning mostly after June 20.
Multistate cyclospora outbreak affects nearly 7,000 people
A multistate cyclospora outbreak that began in May 2026 has resulted in nearly 7,000 confirmed or suspected cases across the United States as of July 2026. The outbreak has spread to at least 34 states, with Ohio and Michigan among the most heavily affected states. No deaths have been reported from the outbreak.
CDC confirms multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified iceberg lettuce supplied to select Taco Bell restaurants as a source of the multistate cyclospora outbreak on July 17, 2026, more than a month after cases first began appearing in May. The CDC confirmed that Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, and Kentucky were linked in the multistate outbreak.
Michigan reports over 3,300 cyclospora cases
Michigan reported more than 3,300 cyclospora cases since June 22, 2026, making it the state with the highest number of cases in the multistate outbreak. Michigan health officials identified lettuce and salad greens as a possible source of the contamination.
Taco Bell removes all Taylor Farms lettuce from restaurants
Taco Bell announced it removed all lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms from its restaurant locations in response to the cyclospora outbreak investigation. The chain had been serving the recalled iceberg lettuce at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Taylor Farms voluntarily recalls iceberg lettuce from central Mexico
Taylor Farms announced on July 18, 2026, a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market, stating the product had the potential to be contaminated with cyclospora. The recalled products had been distributed to stores in 27 states and were provided to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Walmart removes bagged iceberg lettuce products from stores
Walmart removed four Marketside bagged iceberg lettuce salad products from stores in more than two dozen states over the weekend of July 19, 2026, in response to the cyclospora outbreak. However, Walmart stated there was no indication that products sold in its stores were affected by the current cyclospora investigations.
Cyclospora parasite causes intestinal illness through contaminated produce
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food when it comes into contact with human feces, typically through contaminated water used for irrigation or washing of produce. When ingested, the parasite causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness marked by frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.
Sysco halts distribution of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico
Sysco, the nation's largest food distributor, halted distribution of all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce products sourced from Mexico and instructed its customers to destroy the recalled products.
Cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants
U.S. health officials identified iceberg lettuce from a supplier in Mexico as the source of cyclospora contamination in food served at Taco Bell restaurants in five Midwestern states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Taco Bell voluntarily removed the contaminated lettuce products from all restaurants nationwide and removed the affected ingredient from its supply chain.
Taylor Farms expands voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico
Taylor Farms, a California-based lettuce supplier, expanded its voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico on July 17 due to potential contamination with cyclospora parasites. The recalled products were shipped to 27 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The company ceased sourcing lettuce from the implicated lot in central Mexico and is actively removing affected products from distribution.
Cyclospora outbreak in United States sickens over 1,600 people
As of July 2026, a cyclospora outbreak in the United States has resulted in at least 1,645 confirmed cases and 141 hospitalizations. The CDC is investigating more than 5,000 additional illnesses that may be linked to the parasite. This represents a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025, when only 249 cases had been reported.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Retailers pull lettuce as investigation confirms outbreak source
CDC confirms outbreak linked to lettuce as retailers pull products from shelves.
FDA Reverses Cyclospora Detection in Taylor Farms Lettuce
FDA reverses cyclospora finding in Taylor Farms lettuce as false positive.
Major food distributor halts Mexican lettuce shipments amid outbreak
Sysco stops distributing Taylor Farms Mexican lettuce to contain cyclospora outbreak spread through food service channels.
Contaminated Mexican lettuce linked to 1,600-person cyclospora outbreak
Cyclospora outbreak in 1,600+ Americans linked to recalled Mexican lettuce distributed through Taco Bell.