FDA Updates Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Lettuce

Federal health officials updated a multistate Cyclospora investigation linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The FDA said the outbreak includes 1,644 people infected with Cyclospora who reported Taco Bell exposure in the five states. Illness onset dates ranged from May 13 through July 13, 2026. Ninety-four hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported.

Ingredient-level analyses found that 90% of interviewed cases reported eating iceberg lettuce. FDA traceback identified convergence on a single supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico, and a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by the company tested positive for Cyclospora during targeted import surveillance. 

Taylor Farms de Mexico announced on July 17 that it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market, and Taylor Fresh Foods issued a recall notice including Marketside-brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce products available at Walmart with specified July 18, 2026 to August 3, 2026, Best if Used By dates.

The FDA advises people with symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a health care provider, particularly if they ate shredded iceberg lettuce in the two weeks before illness. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional distribution channels may be identified.

Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Investigation of 5-state outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses: iceberg lettuce (July 2026). FDA; updated July 18, 2026.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Taylor Fresh Foods recalls iceberg lettuce from central Mexico because of possible health risk. FDA; published July 18, 2026.