Nine-state Cyclospora outbreak grows as cases near 2,000

CDC and FDA are investigating an ongoing multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico. As of July 24, 2026, 1,947 illnesses had been reported in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Illness onset dates ranged from June 22 through July 20, with at least 98 hospitalizations and no deaths. Reported cases involved exposure to Taco Bell; however, the true case count may be higher because many affected people recover without medical care or Cyclospora testing. Additional cases may be identified because confirming outbreak-associated illnesses can take up to 6 weeks.

On July 17, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Recalled products include Marketside Iceberg Salad and Shredded Lettuce sold at select Walmart stores, as well as products distributed to restaurants and other food-service customers. Taco Bell reported that it stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico on July 17. FDA stated that a previously reported false-positive border sample does not alter the epidemiologic and traceback evidence supporting the recall.

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat or serve recalled lettuce and should discard or return affected products. Surfaces and containers that contacted the lettuce should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Patients with watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, or fatigue—particularly after eating shredded iceberg lettuce—should contact a healthcare professional. Clinicians may need to specifically request Cyclospora testing because routine stool testing may not include the parasite, and confirmed cases should be reported to local health departments.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, July 14) CDC. Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce in 9 states

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, July 24) CDC. Where people got sick: Cyclospora outbreak, July 2026

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026, July 24) FDA. Investigation of 9-state outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses: Iceberg lettuce (July 2026)