Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Tied to Taco Bell Lettuce Leaves Thousands Ill but No Deaths

Federal health agencies announced that shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell caused a cyclosporiasis outbreak in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The supplier of the contaminated lettuce is located in Mexico and is associated with Taylor Farms. The outbreak produced thousands of illnesses and zero deaths.

Michigan reported 3,309 cases after first noting upwards of 1,500 positive tests late last week. At that earlier point the CDC website listed fewer than 200 cases nationwide. Taco Bell posted on July 17, 2026, that it was acting out of an abundance of caution by removing produce from some stores.

The company later confirmed it had completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants. Photos of signs at branches announcing limited toppings had appeared the prior week. Acting head of the FDA’s food center Donald Prater stated during a press conference that the agency is continuing its traceback investigation on multiple produce items.

He added that washing produce was very helpful in lowering the risk of the parasite. The CDC advisory directed residents not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce at the named Taco Bell locations. Taylor Fresh Foods stated that the FDA’s investigation pinpointed one independent farm.

The company has indefinitely removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico, noting that the affected farm represents less than 1 percent of the U.S. supply and that no other Taylor Fresh Foods products are impacted. The CDC said the FDA is working directly with the supplier to determine whether contaminated lettuce reached other locations.

Trust in the safety of the U.S. food supply stands at its lowest level in at least 13 years, according to recent survey data from the International Food Information Council.