Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Taco Bell Lettuce Expands to 27 States

Federal health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations as the source of a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has sickened at least 1,644 people across five states. Taylor Farms de Mexico, the supplier of the contaminated lettuce, has expanded its voluntary recall to 27 states as the U.S. faces its worst year on record for cyclospora infections.

The Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are jointly investigating the outbreak, which has affected Taco Bell customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Illnesses began as early as May 13, 2026, with the most recent reported onset on July 13. Of the 1,644 confirmed cases, 94 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Michigan has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, reporting more than 5,000 cyclospora cases statewide as of July 17 — a staggering 100-fold increase over the state’s typical annual count of 40 to 50 cases. Health officials analyzing food exposure data from 190 Michigan cases found that 90% of those who fell ill after eating at Taco Bell reported consuming iceberg lettuce.

The Supplier and Recall

The FDA’s traceback investigation identified Taylor Farms de Mexico, a subsidiary of California-based Taylor Farms, as the single supplier of the contaminated iceberg lettuce. According to the Associated Press, the FDA indicated that a “specific independent farm” representing less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply is the potential source of the contamination.

On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced a voluntary removal of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. The recall was expanded to 27 states on July 18. The affected shredded iceberg product was distributed between June 29 and July 16, 2026. Importantly, no Taylor Farms-branded salads or kits are associated with the outbreak, as none of the company’s branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce.

Taco Bell’s Response

Taco Bell issued a statement on July 16 saying it took “immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states.” The company announced it would remove all iceberg lettuce from its supply chain nationwide and replace it within 24 hours. The FDA confirmed that Taco Bell has committed to stopping use of any lettuce from the implicated supplier.

A Record-Breaking Year

The current outbreak is part of a much larger national surge in cyclosporiasis. The CDC reports that since May 1, 2026, there have been 1,645 confirmed domestic cases and more than 5,100 cases requiring further analysis across 34 states. The total national case count is approaching 7,000, making 2026 the worst year on record for cyclospora infections in the United States, surpassing the previous record of approximately 4,700 cases set in 2019.

Health officials caution that not all cases can be tied to a single common source. The CDC is investigating other outbreaks and illnesses nationally that are unrelated to the Taco Bell cluster.

Understanding Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The heat-loving parasite spreads through feces-contaminated food or water and thrives in warmer conditions, which experts say may explain the rising case counts linked to climate change.

Symptoms include watery diarrhea (sometimes explosive), loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Symptoms typically begin about one week after exposure but can appear as soon as two days or as late as two weeks or more. Without treatment, symptoms can last from a few days to a month or longer.

Public Health Guidance

Dr. Gwen Biggerstaff of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases advises consumers to “wash your hands and any fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.” She noted that cooking kills the parasite, so heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher is effective.

Health officials urge anyone who develops symptoms to contact their healthcare provider and specifically request testing for cyclospora, as routine stool tests often do not screen for this parasite. People with symptoms should stay well-hydrated and avoid preparing food for others while acutely ill.

What’s Next

The FDA and CDC continue their investigation, with FDA increasing border screening for implicated products and working to determine if contaminated lettuce remains on the market. Additional states, brands, restaurants, or retailers may be identified as the investigation progresses. Michigan health officials continue to recommend that consumers purchase whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged varieties as a precaution.

The outbreak raises serious questions about food safety protocols in the fresh produce supply chain, particularly for imported produce from Mexico, and may prompt renewed scrutiny of FDA oversight and border screening requirements.