Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Recalled Lettuce Affects Nearly 2,000 in Nine States

A multistate outbreak of Cyclospora linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has resulted in infections of at least 1,947 individuals across nine states, marking one of the largest such outbreaks in the U.S. The current outbreak has not yet surpassed the 2019 record, but health officials anticipate a rise in confirmed cases due to processing delays.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state health officials are investigating. The outbreak has been traced to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, voluntarily recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico. A response from Taylor Farms is pending, as contact was attempted outside of business hours.

On July 17, Taylor Farms initiated a recall for all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. The CDC urges consumers to dispose of or return any recalled lettuce. They are also examining other Cyclospora outbreaks nationwide unrelated to this incident.

As of July 24, there are at least 1,947 cases, with 98 hospitalizations and no deaths across affected states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Understanding Cyclospora

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the small intestine, causing cyclosporiasis. Infection occurs through consumption of contaminated food or water, often fresh produce like leafy greens, herbs, and berries. The parasite does not spread person-to-person, as it needs environmental maturity to become infectious.

Symptoms arise about a week post-exposure and include watery diarrhea, appetite loss, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, and fatigue. Vomiting and low-grade fever may also occur. Though healthy individuals recover with antibiotics, untreated symptoms can persist for weeks or months, sometimes relapsing.

Largest Cyclospora Outbreaks

This outbreak ranks among the largest in U.S. history. The confirmed Taylor Farms-linked cases stand at 1,947. From May 1, the CDC has confirmed 4,173 domestic cyclosporiasis cases. Over 7,400 additional cases are under investigation for confirmation.

Past Major Outbreaks

Recognized as a foodborne illness in North America since the mid-1990s, Cyclospora saw a major outbreak linked to Guatemalan raspberries. With 1,465 cases across states and Canada, the outbreak led to changes in agricultural practices and water quality concerns. The CDC classified cyclosporiasis as nationally notifiable in 1999.

Another outbreak in 2013 involved cases linked to salad mix from Mexico and cilantro. The largest U.S. outbreaks occurred in 2018, linked to McDonald’s salads, and 2019, linked to Mexican basil, with over 2,000 cases each.

Ongoing Investigation and Expected Rise in Cases

The CDC suggests current figures may not reflect the final outbreak size, as determining linkages to the outbreak can take up to six weeks. Unrelated outbreaks are also under investigation.

The FDA’s ongoing traceback investigation connects the outbreak to Taylor Farms’ shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. Consumers should avoid recalled products.

Taylor Farms’ Response

Taylor Farms prioritizes food safety, taking actions since the outbreak source questions arose. The company states none of its products have tested positive for Cyclospora. They promptly removed potentially implicated items before extending a recall and stopped sourcing and production in central Mexico.

Independent experts are reviewing food safety practices. As of July 18, production at the central Mexico site is suspended. Taylor Farms reported no positive product tests for Cyclospora as of July 24, 2026.

The company maintains confidence in its safety systems and commits to transparency as more information becomes available.