The owner of Taylor Farms confirmed that lettuce was behind outbreaks of Cyclospora parasite infections in several states.
Federal officials also said lettuce was used in Taco Bell restaurants and was the cause of the outbreak. Taco Bell has removed lettuce from all menus.
Taylor Farms’ lettuce is imported from central Mexico and is being discontinued, according to the company. Taylor Farms says its farms account for less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply. The company said in a statement Friday afternoon that it would remove all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
The Salinas, California-based company said it does not use iceberg lettuce in its salad kits and none of its salad kits have been linked to the outbreak. In addition to Taco Bell, Taylor Farms supplies produce to major fast food and grocery chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Walmart and Trader Joe’s.
The FDA and CDC say the outbreaks reported in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia are only a small subset of Cyclospora infections currently under investigation and only one of several outbreaks involved. In total, CDC is reporting illness in 34 states.
As of this afternoon, the CDC reports that 1,644 people have been infected with Cyclospora. Reports of exposure to Taco Bell have been reported in five states. The illness began from May 13 to July 13.
There are 94 people hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Michigan analyzed food exposure details from 190 patients who reported eating at Taco Bell and found that 90% of patients interviewed reported eating iceberg lettuce.
Michigan and other states are reporting more illnesses than the CDC. Michigan public health officials said today there are 5,002 people hospitalized and 102 people hospitalized. It is unclear whether all of the Michigan patients are connected to the Taco Bell/Taylor Farms outbreak.
Indiana is reporting more than 320 cases. Kentucky is reporting more than 190. Ohio is reporting more than 1,240. West Virginia has reported 139 cases.
By this time each year, Michigan typically has 40 to 50 confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection.
The CDC’s numbers lag state reports because the CDC stopped tracking Cyclospora infections and seven other types of foodborne pathogens starting July 1, 2025.
The main symptom of Cyclospora infection is severe diarrhea, which can persist for more than a month if left untreated and can easily lead to severe dehydration.
Anyone who develops symptoms of Cyclospora infection and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight parasites.
Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, often explosive diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure. Although symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, death from Cyclospora infection is rare.
