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3d ago

Federal Trace Links Taco Bell Lettuce to Multistate Cyclospora Cluster

Tracing shredded iceberg lettuce from a single Mexican supplier to more than 1,600 linked illnesses prompted federal consumer warnings, expanded testing, increased border screening.

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Health officials say a Cyclospora outbreak that causes "explosive" diarrhea is linked to Taco Bell locations across five states, including Kentucky. This photomicrograph of a fresh stool sample, which had been prepared using a 10% formalin solution, and stained with modified acid-fast stain, revealed the presence of four Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts in the field of view. Compared to wet mount preparations, the oocysts are less perfectly round and have a wrinkled appearance due to this method of fixation. Most importantly, the staining is variable among the four oocysts. (Photo credit: CDC)
A Taco Bell fast food restaurant is shown Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Taylor, Mich.
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Overview

  • Federal agencies confirmed late Thursday that an FDA traceback tied shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia to a cluster of more than 1,600 cyclosporiasis illnesses.
  • The FDA said the lettuce came from a single supplier in Mexico and multiple news outlets, citing unnamed officials, have reported that the supplier is Taylor Farms while agencies have not publicly named the company.
  • Michigan remains the outbreak epicenter with state officials reporting about 5,002 cases and a sharp rise in hospitalizations, and many sick people nationwide did not report eating at Taco Bell.
  • Taco Bell said it voluntarily removed the potentially affected lettuce from select restaurants and will stop using lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA’s traceback, while the FDA is collecting product samples and increasing import screening.
  • Investigators warn that Cyclospora is hard to trace because it takes days to become infectious and requires specific stool testing, so agencies are continuing broader traceback work to find other contaminated products and to guide prevention and treatment advice.