SerpApi.Org
No one wants to hear about digestive issues when they’re catching up on the news, but unfortunately gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea are a hot topic right now. That’s because the contaminated lettuce recall you’ve probably heard about has now spread to 27 states—and thousands of people are dealing with the unpleasant side effects.
On July 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an updated recall alert regarding its investigation of illness linked to the parasite cyclospora. The alert explains that produce supplier Taylor Farms announced a voluntary removal of all iceberg lettuce across the U.S. that the company sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Farms also issued a recall for lettuce distributed to food service companies as well as Marketside brand lettuce products sold to Walmart consumers.
What lettuce is included in this recall?
Taylor Farms shipped the contaminated lettuce to 27 states from June 29 to July 16. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The affected Marketside items are labeled as “Iceberg Salad 12-oz or 24-oz” and “Shredded Lettuce 8-oz or 16-oz.” They have “Best if Used By” dates of 7/18/2026 to 8/3/2026, and July 18th to Aug 3rd 2026, respectively.
This follows an outbreak of cyclosporiasis announced on July 16 that was linked to Taylor Farms lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants. At that time, the FDA reported that 1,644 people had gotten sick in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, and 94 people had been hospitalized. The FDA also stated that 90% of 190 people studied had eaten iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Taco Bell removed and replaced all Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants. On July 19, the FDA reported that a test of lettuce from Taco Bell that had been believed to contain cyclospora was actually a false-positive, but the agency is still linking Taylor Farms produce to the outbreak.
Taco Bell isn’t the only fast food chain involved, though. On July 18, Jack in the Box also reported that the recalled lettuce had been shipped to some of its restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The company took all affected foods off of its menus, and says that no customers have reported getting sick so far.
What is cyclospora and how does it make you sick?
Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that’s spread by human poop (gross). After cyclospora is is shed in fecal matter, it takes one to two weeks outside the human body for it to become infectious. Then, two days to two weeks after you consume food or water that’s been contaminated, you can develop an illness called cyclosporiasis, which can cause severe stomach distress.
“People typically develop watery diarrhea, which can sometimes be severe or explosive, along with abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and a low grade fever,” says Zoe Weiss, MD, the director of clinical microbiology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. “If left untreated, the symptoms often follow a relapsing pattern and can come and go for weeks, or even months.”
This can lead to feeling even worse. “The most common complication of
cyclosporiasis infection is dehydration, which occurs because prolonged
diarrhea causes your body to lose large amounts of water and electrolytes,” says Dr. Weiss. The good news: Although symptoms can be really rough, the infection is usually not life-threatening, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Your healthcare provider can help stop the symptoms, too. “Cyclosporiasis is highly treatable,” Dr. Weiss says. “The recommended treatment is an antibiotic
called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Most otherwise healthy adults recover completely with appropriate therapy. There are alternative meds available for those with allergies, though they can be less effective.”
Who is most at risk for serious illness?
“While anyone can become infected, some people are at greater risk for more severe or prolonged illness,” says Dr. Weiss. “Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to dehydration. Older adults may also experience more severe disease and recover more slowly. People with weakened immune systems, such organ transplant recipients, individuals receiving chemotherapy, and people living with HIV, are more likely to develop prolonged symptoms and, in rare cases, complications.”
What should you do if you have symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
If you know you’ve eaten lettuce that’s included in this recall, check in with your doctor. If you’re experiencing symptoms, that’s crucial. “Anyone who develops persistent diarrhea after eating potentially contaminated fresh produce should contact a healthcare provider,” Dr. Weiss stresses. “This is especially important if you have diarrhea for more than four to five days.”
Describe your symptoms in clear detail, so your doctor can get you an accurate diagnosis. “Most hospitals and labs don’t test for cyclosporiasis infection automatically, so that needs to be specifically requested by your healthcare provider,” Dr. Weiss explains. “Early diagnosis and treatment can shorten the duration of illness and reduce the risk of complications, particularly for those in higher risk groups.”
What should you do if you have lettuce that’s part of the recall?
The FDA says you should not eat any of it, and you should definitely throw it away. You can ask for a full refund at the store where you bought the lettuce.
Does the recall mean you shouldn’t eat lettuce at all right now? That’s up to you, but be smart. If you’re eating at a restaurant, ask if they use Taylor Farms lettuce before you order a salad or sandwich. If you want to be more cautious, take a break from eating lettuce and enjoy other vegetables until more is fully known about the outbreak. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
