According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), US investigators traced the parasite outbreak to chopped iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants.
CDC has identified 1,645 people in five states So far Taco Bell has been linked to the outbreak.
Health officials identified a supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico as the possible source of contamination. The supplier delivered lettuce to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Taco Bell, for its part, said it has removed lettuce from its restaurants.
Officials did not initially name the supplier, but Taylor Farms later said that testing by health officials identified “a specific independent farm” linked to the company.
The company said it was “voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.”
Authorities are investigating possible additional sources
According to the CDC, officials were also working to determine whether contaminated chopped iceberg lettuce was present in the market.
Health officials also warned that the investigation is ongoing and that other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” may still be linked to the Cyclospora outbreak.
The latest Cyclospora outbreak is the largest in recent years, with infections recorded in 30 states this year.
Michigan has reported particularly high case numbers, with state officials recording nearly 5,000 infections. Federal officials note that state and federal totals may vary due to reporting standards and processing times.
What is Cyclospora, the parasite that causes diarrhea?
According to the CDC, Cyclospora is a foodborne parasite that typically causes diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”
The disease is rarely life-threatening and is usually treated with antibiotics.
Bagged salad mixes and other fresh produce, including Taylor Farms, have caused Cyclospora outbreaks in the past.
Will the Cyclospora outbreak impact business?
The outbreak comes at a time when Taco Bell was posting strong business results. Sales at restaurants open for at least a year rose 8% in the first quarter, and the chain is preparing for further expansion in Europe, including plans to enter Germany and Poland by the end of 2026.
But in the past, foodborne illness outbreaks have hurt chains by reducing consumer confidence.
Following an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s food in 2024, its sales declined 1.4% in the final quarter of the year. The company had registered growth earlier.
“The recent outbreak will likely impact (Taco Bell’s) near-term same-store sales growth,” said Ari Fellhandler, an analyst at Morningstar.
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Edited by: Shawn Sinico