Cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce, 15 states

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday, August 5, that a multistate Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce had expanded to 15 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 1,947 confirmed illnesses are linked to that outbreak, which investigators have traced through epidemiologic and traceback evidence to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. Federal officials said the recalled product was distributed to restaurants and retailers, including Taco Bell locations and Marketside-brand products sold at select Walmart stores. ### Which lettuce is at the center of the outbreak? The CDC said the product under investigation is recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The agency said multiple lots were sold in various package types and distributed in at least 27 states to consumers, restaurants and retailers. The CDC said consumers should not eat recalled lettuce and should throw it away or return it. (fda.gov) The FDA said its investigation remains ongoing. The agency said the 15-state outbreak is specifically linked to iceberg lettuce and that federal and state officials are continuing to work together on the case. ### How did Taco Bell and grocery stores get pulled into it? Taco Bell was identified earlier in the investigation as one route through which contaminated lettuce reached consumers. (cdc.gov) Federal officials first linked illnesses in several states to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants, then traced the product back to a single farm in central Mexico operated through Taylor Farms de Mexico, according to CDC and prior reporting. (fda.gov) Walmart was also named in the CDC’s outbreak notice. The agency said Taylor Fresh Foods’ recall included Marketside-brand product available at select Walmart stores, extending the warning beyond restaurant supply chains. ### How big is this outbreak right now? The CDC said the total confirmed case count associated with the 15-state outbreak is 1,947. That figure refers to the outbreak cluster tied to the recalled lettuce, not to every Cyclospora infection reported nationwide this year. (cnbc.com) Cyclospora cases have been reported far more broadly across the country. CBS News reported that cases this year have been recorded in at least 47 states total, while investigators are still determining how many are linked to a common contaminated source. (cdc.gov) ### What is Cyclospora, and why are officials focused on produce? Cyclospora is a parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that commonly brings diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. (cdc.gov) Produce has been a recurring focus in Cyclospora investigations because the parasite can contaminate fresh items that are eaten raw, and lettuce is one of the products federal officials have now tied to this outbreak. (cbsnews.com) Good Housekeeping said contaminated produce has infected thousands with Cyclospora in the broader 2026 surge. Federal agencies, however, are separating the nationwide rise in cases from the narrower 15-state outbreak that they have linked to recalled iceberg lettuce. ### What should consumers and restaurants do now? (fda.gov) The CDC said consumers should not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico and should discard it or return it. The agency also said restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the recalled product. The next public updates are likely to appear on the CDC’s July 2026 Cyclospora outbreak page and the FDA’s 15-state outbreak investigation page, both of which agencies say remain active while the investigation continues. (fda.gov) (cdc.gov 1) (cdc.gov 2)