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Companies are reacting to outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, the foodborne parasitic illness that causes “explosive” diarrhea that has sickened thousands
NEED TO KNOW
- The CDC is investigating nearly 7,000 cyclosporiasis cases across 34 states, with Michigan reporting the most cases
- Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico after being linked to the outbreak by the FDA
- Taco Bell removed affected lettuce from its restaurants amid the outbreaks
Food chains and companies across the country are reacting to outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, the foodborne parasitic illness that causes “explosive” diarrhea, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigate the outbreaks.
Cyclosporiasis, which comes from the parasite Cyclospora, is characterized by “watery diarrhea, fatigue, and loss of appetite,” along with other symptoms, per the CDC. The symptoms usually start about one week following infection, and the illness is treatable with antibiotics, otherwise lasting from a few days to a month or longer, officials say.
The CDC said that in addition to over 1,645 confirmed cases of the illness, it is aware of over 5,100 cases it is analyzing for confirmation — nearly 7,000 cases are being investigated nationally by the agency. Cases have been reported in 34 states.
“The true number of sick people in this multistate outbreak is likely higher than the number reported,” the agency noted. Michigan alone has reported 4,312 cyclosporiasis cases and 102 hospitalizations as of July 16, per the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
MDHHS identified lettuce as a potential cause of the outbreaks. A single cause has not yet been identified.
The CDC said consumers can take steps like thoroughly washing their hands and cooking produce to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the risk of getting sick.
Nationwide outbreaks of cyclosporiasis and the FDA and CDC investigation are ongoing. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Read on for how several companies have responded to the outbreaks.
Taylor Farms
A lettuce sample from Taylor Farms came back as a false positive for cyclospora during testing by the FDA, the agency reported on July 19, but Taylor Farms remains linked to the outbreak.
“FDA has notified Taylor Farms and continues working with the firm to ensure product implicated in this outbreak has been removed from the market,” the FDA said, as it continues to collect and analyze samples.
“As of July 19, 2026, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora,” the update said.
“We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues,” Taylor Farms wrote in a statement on X.
On July 17, Taylor Farms announced it was removing its iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market after it was linked to the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“Based on information provided yesterday by the FDA, Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market,” the company said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm, which represents less than 1% of the U.S.’s iceberg lettuce supply, as the potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely.”
“As a family owned and operated company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the many Americans whose trust in the safety of their fresh produce has been shaken,” Taylor Fresh Foods said in the statement. “That trust is something we’ve worked for decades to earn, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to restore that confidence. We will provide continuous updates as new information emerges.”
Also on July 17, the brand recalled a large variety of lettuces distributed under different brand names to food service companies in 27 states, along with Marketside-branded items sold at Walmart, per the FDA.
The agency said the recall affected Marketside Iceberg Salad 12-oz and 24-oz items and Shredded Lettuce 8-oz and 16-oz items with best if used by dates from July 18 to Aug. 3, 2026.
“Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods should discard it immediately and not consume it,” the FDA said.
Taylor Fresh Foods wrote in the recall announcement of its “implicated” iceberg lettuce, “The company has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we are continuing to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.”
Taco Bell
Taco Bell finalized its removal of Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants on July 17 amid the CDC and FDA investigation.
“As of July 17, Taco Bell has completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from our restaurants,” the chain said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell worked swiftly to voluntarily remove the product from restaurants and the affected ingredient has been removed from our supply chain nationwide. We took this action to ensure our guests can enjoy their Taco Bell favorites safely.”
“We believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests,” the chain added. “Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same.”
The CDC and FDA linked shredded iceberg lettuce sold at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia to cyclosporiasis outbreaks on July 16.
“Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia,” said the CDC at the time. The agency reported that over 1,644 people with cyclosporiasis in the outbreak ate at Taco Bell in one of the states.
The agency said that the FDA identified one supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico at the affected locations.
The CDC said, “Because the investigation remains ongoing, additional implicated brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels may be identified as the investigation continues.”
Earlier, some Taco Bell locations, including several in Metro Detroit, stopped serving lettuce and several other ingredients amid the outbreaks, a move that the chain told PEOPLE was “a precautionary measure.”
Walmart
Per the FDA, on July 17, Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market, including Marketside Iceberg Salad 12-oz. and 24-oz. and Shredded Lettuce 8-oz. and 16-oz. items sold at Walmart with best if used by dates between July 18, 2026 and Aug. 3, 2026.
“Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora,” the company wrote in its recall announcement.
Per the agency, the recalled items were sold at select Walmart locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
“The health and safety of our customers is a top priority,” Walmart said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “Although there is no indication that products sold in our stores are affected by the current Cyclospora investigations, we have removed four bagged iceberg lettuce salad products from select locations as a precaution after receiving notice from our supplier.”
“There have been no confirmed illnesses associated with these products at this time. We are working closely with our supplier and took immediate steps to remove the products from sale,” the statement read. “Out of an abundance of caution, customers who purchased these products should not consume them and should discard them or return them to their local Walmart store for a full refund.”
The FDA’s announcement advises consumers, restaurants and retailers who purchased recalled iceberg lettuce to discard it and sanitize surfaces it touched.
Chipotle
Chipotle has not been linked to the outbreak by the FDA and CDC, and there have been no accusations otherwise linking the chain to the outbreaks.
A spokesperson for Chipotle told PEOPLE in an emailed statement, “We are aware of the Cyclospora investigation and at this time, we don’t believe the ingredients we source are associated. We are monitoring the situation closely and evaluating any new information as it becomes available.”
“The health and safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority,” they added.
Burger King
The FDA and CDC have not linked Burger King to the outbreak. There have been no accusations linking the chain to the outbreaks.
When reached for comment via email, a spokesperson for Burger King said in a statement, “We can confirm that none of the lettuce at Burger King restaurants is impacted.”
Read the original article on People
