FDA Says Three Cyclosporiasis Clusters Over, Largest Still Tied to Taco Bell Lettuce in Five States

Federal health officials reported Monday that three of five cyclosporiasis clusters under investigation since May are considered over. The largest cluster continues with cases reported as recently as the week of July 13-19 and is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, the FDA said during a press conference.

The CDC has confirmed 1,644 infections in those states and advised the public not to eat the lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants there.

Michigan alone has recorded 6,148 cases as of Monday morning, an increase of more than 1,000 since Friday, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. At least 29 other states have confirmed domestically acquired cases since May 1. Taylor Farms de Mexico issued a voluntary recall last week of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, affecting 27 states.

The products were distributed from June 29 through July 16 and carry best-by dates up to August 3. Taco Bell stated on July 17 that it is no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico at any of its restaurants. Over the weekend the FDA reported a positive Cyclospora test on a Taylor Farms sample not included in the recall, then determined the result was a false positive.

Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said the error does not alter the agency's findings linking cases to the recalled lettuce. The FDA posted on X that epidemiological data supporting the recall remains overwhelming. The CDC is also tracking 440 cases in 35 states among people who became ill after travel outside the United States.