CDC identifies shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell as source of cyclospora outbreak across five US states
US health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states as the source of a multistate outbreak of cyclospora, a parasitic infection that can cause prolonged diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The finding comes after weeks of investigation by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which traced the contaminated lettuce through the supply chain to a farm in central Mexico.The announcement, made on July 17, marks a major breakthrough in an outbreak that has sickened at least 1,644 people and led to 94 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported so far, but federal officials say the true number of infections is likely much higher because many people with mild symptoms never seek medical care or undergo testing.
Investigation points to Taco Bell lettuce
According to the CDC, investigators interviewed hundreds of patients and found that many had recently eaten at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. A detailed review of restaurant menus showed one ingredient appearing repeatedly: shredded iceberg lettuce.The FDA then carried out a traceback investigation, following the lettuce through distributors and suppliers. Officials were able to narrow the source to Taylor Farms de Mexico, which supplied shredded iceberg lettuce to Taco Bell locations in the affected states. The agency said the contaminated lettuce originated from a single independent farm in central Mexico.Following the findings, Taylor Farms voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the US market and initiated a recall. The company has said that none of its branded salad kits sold in grocery stores are part of the investigation.
Taco Bell responds
Taco Bell has also acted quickly. According to federal officials, the restaurant chain stopped using lettuce from the implicated supplier and replaced the product in affected restaurants within 24 hours after learning of the potential contamination.The company said it is cooperating fully with the CDC and FDA and has taken additional precautionary steps to protect customers. Officials stressed that not every Taco Bell restaurant received the contaminated lettuce, and the investigation is limited to specific locations supplied through the affected distribution chain.
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis that infects the small intestine. People usually become infected after eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite. Fresh produce, especially items eaten raw, has been linked to several Cyclospora outbreaks over the past two decades.Unlike many foodborne bacteria, Cyclospora cannot usually spread directly from one person to another. The parasite needs time outside the human body before it becomes infectious, meaning contamination generally occurs somewhere along the food production or handling process.Symptoms often appear about a week after exposure, although they can take as long as two weeks to develop. The illness is best known for causing watery diarrhea that can last for days or even weeks, along with stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Without treatment, symptoms may disappear and then return again. The infection is usually treated with prescription antibiotics.
Why officials say the real numbers are probably higher
The CDC believes the confirmed case count represents only a fraction of the actual outbreak.Many people recover without seeing a doctor, while others may be diagnosed with general gastroenteritis because testing specifically for Cyclospora is not routinely performed unless doctors suspect the parasite. The delay between eating contaminated food and developing symptoms can also make outbreaks difficult to detect, as many people struggle to remember what they ate one or two weeks earlier.Health officials are continuing to investigate whether additional food items or restaurants may also be linked to illnesses reported in other states. While the Taco Bell investigation has identified one major source, the FDA says other Cyclospora outbreaks occurring this season could involve unrelated foods.
Advice for consumers
The CDC says there is no evidence that lettuce currently being served at Taco Bell restaurants is part of the outbreak, as the implicated product has already been removed from the supply chain. However, anyone who develops persistent watery diarrhea, especially after recently eating fresh produce, should seek medical attention and mention the possibility of Cyclospora infection to their healthcare provider.The investigation remains active as federal agencies continue to monitor new reports and work with growers, distributors and restaurants to prevent further illnesses. For now, the CDC’s findings underscore how a single contaminated ingredient in a widely served food item can quickly lead to a multistate public health investigation—and how tracing fresh produce from plate to farm remains one of the biggest challenges in food safety.
