Cyclosporiasis disease is a foodborne parasitic illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis. An outbreak can occur due to contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include explosive diarrhea and stomach pains.
A multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia is being investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, along with state and local government health agencies.
Based on information collected by the CDC, 1,644 people infected with Cyclospora and reporting exposure to Taco Bell have been reported by five states, the FDA said in a statement. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 13, 2026, to July 13, 2026.
Ninety-four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Michigan analyzed food exposure details from 190 of the cases who reported eating at Taco Bell and shared these findings with the CDC. Ingredient analyses on meals eaten by these cases showed that 90 percent of those interviewed reported eating iceberg lettuce.
The FDA’s traceback investigation has identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell locations where sick people ate before becoming ill. News sources are identifying the supplier as Taylor Farms, North America’s leading producer of salads and fresh foods, with more than 25,000 employees and 165 million servings of produce a week.
The FDA said it’s working with the identified supplier to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce is still on the market. As part of the investigation, FDA and state partners are collecting product samples for testing and analysis. In additional, the FDA has increased screening at the border for products possibly involved in the outbreak.
The FDA also said it’s working with Taco Bell, and the company has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA’s traceback investigation.
The FDA said it and state partners are continuing to investigate the source and scope of the contamination. Since the investigation is ongoing, additional brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels may be identified.
