What’s happening

Cyclospora outbreak

CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, including illnesses in people who reported eating at Taco Bell. On July 24, CDC expanded the outbreak advisory from five states to nine (adding Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania) and raised the linked case count to 1,947. Earlier, on July 18, FDA reported that a Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce sample had tested positive for Cyclospora; on July 19 the agency rechecked that result and said it was a false positive — with no confirmed positive product tests as of that date. The investigation remains open, and Taylor Farms' voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico remains in effect.^[4],[1],[3]

These numbers are from the CDC/FDA outbreak advisory for iceberg lettuce linked to Taco Bell exposures in nine states — not the nationwide seasonal total. Do not add them to the CDC map figures below.^[1],[5]

Local Impact

Does this affect San Diego?

How the facts developed

Investigation timeline

Dated updates from the FDA advisory and Taylor Farms newsroom, in order. Citations jump to the primary documents below.

1. Jul 16, 2026

   FDA opens public advisory^[1],[4]

   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.

2. Jul 17, 2026

   Traceback names supplier; voluntary recall begins^[1],[3],[4]

   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.

3. Jul 18, 2026

   Recall details published^[1],[2]

   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.

4. Jul 19, 2026

   FDA: product-sample positive was a false positive^[1]

   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.

5. Jul 19, 2026

   Taylor Farms responds to the lab correction^[3]

   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.

6. Jul 20, 2026

   Taylor Farms publishes a facts summary^[3]

   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.

7. Jul 23, 2026

   Taylor Farms reiterates suspended sourcing^[3]

   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. The company again cites FDA's statement that there are no confirmed positive product-test results for Cyclospora as of July 19.

8. Jul 24, 2026

   CDC expands outbreak to 9 states / 1,947 illnesses^[4],[1]

   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.

How sure are investigators

Evidence collected so far

Investigators combine several kinds of evidence. The Jul 19 lab correction does not by itself close the epidemiologic investigation — CDC/FDA still cite traceback evidence, and the Jul 24 update expanded the advisory to nine states.

• Confirmed
  Case surveillance^[4]

  1,947 confirmed illnesses with Taco Bell exposure reported from nine states; illnesses linked to this outbreak began June 22 and continued through July 20, 2026 (CDC Jul 24 update).
• Confirmed
  Patient interviews / food history^[4]

  Of 190 Michigan cases with meal details analyzed earlier in the investigation, 90% reported eating iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell.
• Ongoing
  Source traceback^[4],[1]

  CDC/FDA epidemiologic and traceback data continue to show iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico was contaminated with Cyclospora and made people sick. Investigation remains open after the lab-result correction.
• Confirmed
  Voluntary recall^[4],[2],[3]

  Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico (announced Jul 17), including Marketside retail product at Walmart and food-service lots distributed to at least 27 states. Taylor Farms says the recall is complete and products have been removed from the marketplace.
• Retracted
  Laboratory confirmation on product^[1],[3]

  A Jul 18 sample reported as positive was reclassified on Jul 19 as a false positive (not true amplification). As of Jul 19, FDA reports no confirmed positive product-test results for Cyclospora. Sampling continues; officials say the false positive does not erase the epidemiologic/traceback link.
• Pending
  Full distribution scope^[4],[1]

  CDC/FDA state the outbreak may not be limited to the nine states with known illnesses, and additional implicated brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels may still be identified. CDC is also investigating other national cyclosporiasis clusters unrelated to this outbreak.

Seasonal surveillance

Cases by state this season^[5]

Where the 4,173 people with domestically acquired, lab-confirmed cyclosporiasis lived, across 41 states (CDC, as of Jul 20, 2026).^[5]

Lab-confirmed domestically acquired cases only. This seasonal total is larger than — and separate from — the CDC/FDA 1,947-illness Taco Bell / iceberg advisory above. Do not combine the two.^[5],[1]

Source: [5] CDC surveillance · View on CDC.gov

Verify it yourself

Primary documents

Superscript numbers on the page link here. Prefer the CDC investigation update for current case counts (Jul 24), the FDA advisory for the lab correction history, and Taylor Farms newsroom for company recall actions.

1. 1

   Investigation of 9-State Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses: Iceberg Lettuce

   FDA · Current update Jul 24, 2026 — FDA advisory (supersedes earlier 5-state URL)
   View source
2. 2

   Taylor Fresh Foods Recalls Iceberg Lettuce from Central Mexico

   FDA · Published Jul 18, 2026 — recall notice
   View source
3. 3

   Taylor Fresh Foods Statement Regarding Cyclospora Outbreak

   Taylor Farms · Updated Jul 23, 2026 — company recall actions, suspended sourcing, and false-positive response
   View source
4. 4

   Investigation Update: Cyclospora Outbreak, July 2026

   CDC · Updated Jul 24, 2026 — 9 states / 1,947 illnesses / 98 hospitalizations (primary outbreak epi)
   View source
5. 5

   Surveillance of Cyclosporiasis (2026 season total — a different, broader dataset)

   CDC · Page reviewed Jul 24, 2026 · confirmed domestic cases May 1–Jul 20: 4,173 in 41 states (plus >7,400 not yet lab-confirmed)
   View source