Taco Bell iceberg lettuce identified as source of cyclosporiasis in 5 states
US federal health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants as a source of Cyclospora, the parasite behind a nationwide surge in cases of severe, watery diarrhoea. A traceback investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced the contaminated lettuce to a single Mexican supplier, reportedly Taylor Farms, which was also linked to a 2024 multi-state E. coli outbreak tied to onions served at McDonald's. Authorities are now urging consumers to avoid iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell outlets in the affected states, while stressing that lettuce sold in shops or served elsewhere is not currently implicated.
The affected restaurants are located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Cyclosporiasis cases have now been reported across 34 states, with the CDC recording 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cases nationally, including 141 hospitalisations, though local health departments report considerably higher figures once probable cases are included. Michigan has been especially hard hit, logging 5,002 cases and 102 hospitalisations as of 17 July.
In short
- Taco Bell iceberg lettuce from a Mexican supplier linked to Cyclospora outbreak
- Affects Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia restaurants
- CDC reports 1,645 confirmed US cases; Michigan alone has 5,002
Explained simply
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that causes severe, watery diarrhoea, typically lasting several weeks. An outbreak of the disease has spread across 34 states in the United States, with 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cases and hundreds of hospitalisations. Michigan has been particularly affected, with thousands of cases reported.
The outbreak has been traced to contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico that was served at Taco Bell restaurants. A Mexican supplier was identified as the source of the contaminated lettuce; the same supplier was previously responsible for another food contamination incident at McDonald's. US federal health authorities traced the source through an investigation of the food supply chain.
The incident affects Taco Bell diners in five states, but lettuce sold in supermarkets or served at other restaurants is not implicated. The outbreak highlights concerns about food safety in the international fresh produce supply chain. It shows how contamination at a single source can affect thousands of people across multiple states.