Federal Investigation Links Taco Bell Lettuce to Multi-State Cyclospora Outbreak

ATLANTA — Federal health officials say shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants has been identified as a likely source of a multistate outbreak of cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory Thursday urging consumers to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia while the investigation continues.

Health officials are examining a surge in cyclospora infections reported across more than 30 states this year. Although investigators have linked Taco Bell lettuce to illnesses in the five affected states, authorities caution that not every reported infection nationwide is necessarily connected to the same source.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), traceback efforts identified a single supplier of the lettuce served at the affected Taco Bell restaurants. While the agency has not publicly identified the company, an official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that the supplier is Taylor Farms, based in Salinas, California.

The FDA said it is working with the supplier to determine whether potentially contaminated lettuce remains in distribution and whether additional restaurants or retailers could be affected. Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and that other brands, food-service operators or distribution channels could be identified as more information becomes available.

Taco Bell announced earlier this week that it had voluntarily and temporarily removed certain ingredients from selected restaurants as a precaution.

The company said it is continuing to work closely with public health agencies and has committed to stop using lettuce supplied through the distribution channel identified during the FDA's investigation.

Outbreak Continues to Grow

The CDC, FDA and state health departments have been investigating the outbreak as the number of reported cyclospora infections continues to climb.

Current surveillance data indicate that reported cases have now exceeded the previous U.S. record of approximately 4,700 infections set in 2019.

Although the illness can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite, it is generally not life-threatening and is typically treated successfully with antibiotics.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestinal tract after contaminated food or water is consumed.

The parasite is commonly associated with fresh produce exposed to irrigation water contaminated by human waste. Health officials say outbreaks are most common during the late spring and summer months, when fresh fruits and vegetables are consumed in greater quantities.

Unlike more common foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli, cyclospora infections can be more difficult to detect because standard laboratory tests do not always screen for the parasite.

Public health experts believe improved testing methods, combined with environmental factors and changing agricultural conditions, have contributed to the increasing number of reported cases in recent years.

Supplier Previously Linked to Foodborne Outbreaks

Taylor Farms has previously been associated with other foodborne illness investigations, including a 2013 cyclospora outbreak linked to packaged salad products and a 2024 E. coli outbreak involving onions served at McDonald's restaurants.

The company had not publicly responded to requests for comment at the time the latest federal announcements were issued.

Federal officials continue urging consumers experiencing persistent diarrhea after eating fresh produce or restaurant meals to seek medical attention and report suspected foodborne illnesses to local health authorities as the investigation remains ongoing.