Cyclospora outbreak

FDA and CDC announce a multistate investigation of Cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Early epidemiology: 1,644 illnesses with Taco Bell exposure, 94 hospitalizations, 0 deaths. Traceback converging on a single Mexico iceberg supplier; product sampling begun; Taco Bell commits to stop using lettuce from the identified supplier.

FDA states traceback identified convergence on Taylor Farms de Mexico. Taylor Farms de Mexico announces voluntary removal of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and informs FDA it will initiate a recall. Product was distributed to food service and retail (including Marketside at Walmart) in at least 27 states. Taylor Farms also states no Taylor Farms branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce / are associated with the outbreak.

FDA posts that Taylor Farms de Mexico is removing central Mexico iceberg lettuce, including Marketside-brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce sold at Walmart, with a link to the company's full food-service product list and lot codes.

FDA re-reviews the Jul 18 Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce sample and concludes it does not represent true amplification — a false positive. Information about that sample is removed from the Jul 18 update. FDA says that as of Jul 19 there are no confirmed positive product-test results for Cyclospora, notifies Taylor Farms, and continues working with the firm on market removal while sampling continues.

Taylor Fresh Foods states FDA informed them of a positive sample the day before, then that it was a mistake / false positive, and that at that moment FDA had not identified a single positive product test for Cyclospora. The company says the voluntary recall of central Mexico iceberg lettuce was completed in an abundance of caution and that other Taylor Farms brand products are not involved.

Taylor Farms summarizes: Jul 17 voluntary recall of central Mexico iceberg lettuce; recall completed with product removed; no Taylor Farms branded products in the recall; no longer sourcing central Mexico iceberg for the rest of the growing season; experts on site in central Mexico investigating potential contamination sources; continuing to work with health officials.

Taylor Farms updates that it immediately removed potentially implicated product, issued a broader recall of central Mexico iceberg, and voluntarily suspended all iceberg lettuce sourcing and production from central Mexico. Independent experts are reviewing food-safety protocols at the central Mexico facility.

CDC reports the multistate outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce now includes Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania (9 states total). Linked case count rises to 1,947 people with Cyclospora who reported Taco Bell exposure; at least 98 hospitalizations; 0 deaths. Illnesses linked to this outbreak began June 22 and continued through July 20. CDC says epidemiologic and traceback data continue to show Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce was contaminated. FDA's public advisory is reframed as a 9-state investigation.

Taylor Farms publishes another update: production of all products at the central Mexico facility temporarily suspended as of July 18; independent experts reviewing food-safety protocols; company cites FDA that there are no confirmed positive product-test results for Cyclospora as of July 24.

CDC updates nationwide seasonal surveillance for domestically acquired, lab-confirmed cyclosporiasis (May 1–July 27): 6,707 cases in 45 states, 423 hospitalizations, 0 deaths. CDC is also aware of more than 11,500 additional reported cases that are not yet laboratory confirmed (many from Michigan and Ohio). These seasonal totals include — but are much larger than — the separate 9-state iceberg/Taco Bell outbreak advisory.

CDC updates nationwide seasonal surveillance for domestically acquired, lab-confirmed cyclosporiasis (May 1–August 3): 10,468 cases in 47 states, 517 hospitalizations, 2 deaths. CDC is also aware of more than 12,255 additional reported cases that are not yet laboratory confirmed (many from Michigan). Michigan moves into the map's highest bin (>4,000).

CDC and FDA update the multistate iceberg lettuce investigation: 6,358 lab-confirmed illnesses in 15 states (adding Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina). Inclusion now covers people who reported exposure to Taco Bell or recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce. At least 278 hospitalizations; 2 deaths reported in Michigan (both with significant underlying health conditions; onset before the Jul 17 recall). Illness onset dates for this outbreak continue through July 31. FDA lists recalled U.S. product distribution in 29 states and notes the recall also reached consumers in Mexico.

Taylor Farms' public statement continues to cite FDA that there are no confirmed positive product-test results for Cyclospora as of August 5, 2026 — updating the company's earlier July 24 citation — while the voluntary recall, suspended central Mexico iceberg sourcing, and facility production pause remain in place.