Federal health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia as a source of a cyclospora outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on July 17, 2026, advising consumers not to eat this lettuce. The outbreak has resulted in a record number of cyclospora cases reported in over 30 states, although not all recent illnesses may be linked to the same source.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the outbreak and has identified a single supplier of the lettuce, although the specific company has not been publicly disclosed. Taylor Fresh Foods, based in Salinas, California, stated that FDA testing pointed to a specific independent farm affiliated with them. The FDA is working with this supplier to assess whether contaminated lettuce remains available in the market.
Taco Bell has committed to ceasing the use of lettuce from the identified supplier. In response to the outbreak, Taylor Farms announced it would voluntarily remove all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. The company expressed concern for those affected by the illness.
The CDC and FDA, along with public health officials, are investigating the outbreak, which is not typically life-threatening and can be treated with antibiotics. Taco Bell has stated that it is taking immediate action to remove potentially impacted lettuce from its supply chain.
Health officials have noted that other brands or restaurants may also be linked to the outbreak, as some individuals who fell ill did not eat at Taco Bell. Michigan health officials have reported over 5,000 cases, with more than 100 hospitalizations, while North Carolina has reported over 300 cases, though these are not linked to the Michigan outbreak.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes watery diarrhea and is often associated with contaminated fruits and vegetables. The CDC noted that outbreaks typically occur in late spring and summer, and the number of reported cases has been increasing in recent years, with experts attributing this trend to climate change and improved detection methods.