The FDA has linked a massive Cyclospora outbreak to Taylor Farms lettuce, sickening thousands of people across at least 34 states. Contaminated iceberg lettuce distributed to Walmart and Taco Bell has triggered a sweeping multi-state recall of salads and shredded lettuce.
The federal agency confirmed that shredded iceberg lettuce and salad kits from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for the parasite. This discovery explains the sudden spike in severe gastrointestinal illnesses that began surfacing in mid-June, sending hundreds to the hospital with debilitating symptoms.
Walmart Recall and Taco Bell Lettuce Caught in Outbreak
Taylor Fresh Foods is recalling all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. The Walmart recall specifically targets Marketside-brand products sold at Walmart stores in 15 states, including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, and Texas. The recalled consumer products include 12-oz and 24-oz Iceberg Salads, as well as 8-oz and 16-oz packages of Shredded Lettuce, all bearing “Best if Used By” dates between July 18 and Aug. 3, 2026.
The recall extends deeply into food service operations across 27 states. Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia received the contaminated Taco Bell lettuce from Taylor Farms. The fast-food chain has stated it is no longer using lettuce from the implicated Mexican growing operation. Food service distributors received the recalled lettuce between June 29 and July 16 under various brand codes, including CV, JB, MARK, and SY.
State Reports Eclipse Federal Tracking
State health departments are reporting staggering case numbers that far exceed typical seasonal averages. Michigan alone has recorded 5,002 patients and 102 hospitalizations. By this time of year, the state usually sees only 40 to 50 confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection.
Ohio has reported more than 1,240 patients, while Indiana has over 320, Kentucky has more than 190, and West Virginia has confirmed 139 cases. These state figures dwarf the CDC’s official tally of 1,644 infections across five states with exposure to Taco Bell. Illnesses in that specific cluster began ranging from May 13 to July 13.
The CDC numbers lag significantly behind state reports because the agency stopped tracking Cyclospora and seven other foodborne pathogens on July 1, 2025. Despite the tracking gap, the CDC is investigating 5,100 additional illnesses across 34 states, suggesting there may be more than one active outbreak currently spreading through the food supply.
Severe Symptoms Require Medical Intervention
Cyclospora infection causes severe abdominal pain, body aches, fatigue, and watery, often explosive diarrhea. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. If left untreated, the intense diarrhea can last for a month or more, leading to serious dehydration.
While rarely fatal, the parasite requires specific diagnostic tests and antibiotic treatment to clear the infection. Anyone experiencing these symptoms who may have eaten the recalled Taylor Farms lettuce should seek medical attention immediately.
What Happens Next
Consumers who shop at Walmart in the affected states should immediately check their refrigerators for Marketside salad kits or shredded lettuce with the specified use-by dates. Because the parasite can survive on surfaces, any containers that held the recalled products should be thoroughly washed and sanitized.
The FDA has detained the specific lot of shredded iceberg lettuce that tested positive during import surveillance. Investigators are working to determine if any portion of this implicated lot reached store shelves or consumer homes. As the investigation deepens, additional states may be added to the FDA parasite warning, and restaurants will likely scrutinize their leafy green supply chains more heavily heading into late summer.
— Isabella Morales, food desk, AXO News