Federal health officials have traced a record-shattering cyclospora outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Fresh Foods and served at Taco Bell locations across five U.S. states, prompting a voluntary market withdrawal and a nationwide supplier swap by the fast-food chain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned consumers late Thursday not to eat shredded lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Michigan alone has reported more than 5,000 cases, making it the apparent epicenter of an outbreak that has sickened thousands across more than 30 states.
Supplier Identified as Taylor Fresh Foods
An FDA traceback investigation identified a single supplier of the iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell locations where ill customers had eaten. The supplier is Taylor Fresh Foods of Salinas, California, which said FDA testing indicated the contamination came from “a specific independent farm” affiliated with the company.
Taylor Farms, as the company is also known, said Friday afternoon that it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. “As a family owned and operated company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the many Americans whose trust in the safety of their fresh produce has been shaken,” the company said in a statement.
Taco Bell said it had taken “immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce” and that the affected ingredient would be “indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.”
A Parasite That Thrives in Summer Heat
Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that infects the bowels and spreads through feces. It commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC. The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is treated with antibiotics and is not usually life-threatening.
Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer. The heat-loving parasite has historically infected people who consumed fruits or vegetables exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water — a single ingredient like basil or cilantro can sicken people across multiple recipes and restaurants.
No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak. But state officials say more than 100 people in Michigan have been hospitalized, and federal health officials say dozens more have been hospitalized in other states.
Cyclospora Outbreak Surpasses 2019 Record
The current surge has far surpassed 2019, which previously held the record with about 4,700 reported U.S. cyclosporiasis cases. Michigan’s count alone exceeds that total, with more than 2,000 additional probable and suspected cases reported across other states.
Experts attribute the rising trend to climate change and better detection. They also say cyclospora cases were historically underreported. Common food poisoning tests have not been geared to detect the parasite. Technicians cannot grow cyclospora in labs, making it difficult to draw evidence from contaminated produce. And because the parasite can hide in a single common ingredient, tracing the source of illness is notoriously hard.
Taylor Farms has been tied to past foodborne illness outbreaks, including a 2013 cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to salad mix and a 2024 E. coli outbreak tied to onions served at McDonald’s. No Taylor Farms-branded salad kits contain the lettuce in question, the company said.
Other Businesses Could Still Be Linked
Federal health officials stressed that other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be tied to the outbreak as the investigation continues. Michigan investigators are trying to determine whether the lettuce went to other restaurants or stores, because many of the ill people said they didn’t eat at Taco Bell.
State health officials said there is no evidence the outbreak “is related to poor food handling or preparation at any single restaurant or fast-food chain.” They continue to recommend that consumers purchase whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits.
What Happens Next
The FDA is working with Taylor Fresh Foods to determine whether potentially contaminated shredded lettuce remains on the market, including in states beyond the five initially named. Consumers in affected regions should avoid Taco Bell shredded lettuce and consider whole-head lettuce over bagged or pre-mixed options.
Investigators will likely broaden their traceback as Michigan and other states probe whether the contaminated lettuce reached additional restaurants or grocery stores. With the cyclospora outbreak already surpassing the 2019 record and summer peak conditions favoring the parasite, public health officials expect the case count to climb before the outbreak is contained.
— Isabella Morales, food desk, AXO News