Taco Bell Lettuce Traced to Mexican Supplier at Center of Massive Parasite Outbreak

A Familiar Ingredient, a Dangerous Parasite

Shredded iceberg lettuce sold at some Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis in five states, the CDC and FDA confirmed. The culprit is a microscopic organism with a big impact: Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea "with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the CDC. For thousands of Americans who simply ordered a taco or burrito, that seemingly harmless shred of lettuce may have been the source of weeks of misery.

The outbreak, a diarrheal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora, was first reported in early May and has since spread to 34 states. Health officials continue investigating a multistate outbreak of the illness that has sickened an estimated nearly 7,000 people — not all of them tied to the outbreak involving the Taco Bell locations, according to the CDC. There have been 94 hospitalizations and no deaths reported in the Taco Bell-linked cluster specifically, though the broader national picture continues to evolve.

The Source Traced to Mexico

A traceback investigation by the FDA identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The FDA identified that supplier as Taylor Farms de Mexico, and said consumers should avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce from those locations while its investigation continues. Taylor Farms is based in Salinas, California, and is a supplier to several major restaurant chains across the U.S.

Taylor Farms said the FDA traceback indicated a "specific farm" that accounts for "less than 1% of the U.S.'s iceberg lettuce supply" was a potential source, and the company removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely. On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, and informed the FDA it would initiate a recall. Taylor Farms produce has also been linked with previous illness outbreaks, including E. coli cases tied to slivered onions in 2024 and cyclospora cases linked with lettuce in 2013.

Michigan at the Epicenter

Cases have been reported in 34 states, with the bulk of illnesses reported in Michigan. State health officials there have reported 4,312 cases and 102 hospitalizations. In Ohio, state health officials reported 1,244 cases — up from just under 200 cases at the beginning of July. The speed of that surge in Ohio alone illustrates just how rapidly this outbreak has escalated. Michigan's health department noted it "cannot say with certainty that every illness is linked to the same source of exposure," but that the concentrated, sharp increase in cases "strongly suggests that the vast majority of these illnesses are associated with the same outbreak" — which would make it the largest cyclospora outbreak in U.S. history.

Health officials analyzed 190 cases of cyclospora in Michigan where a person who fell ill reported eating at Taco Bell, and found that 90% of those people said they ate iceberg lettuce. That statistical link was a key piece of evidence that helped investigators zero in on the specific ingredient and supplier.

What You Need to Know Right Now

Taco Bell said that as of Friday, July 17, it "has completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from our restaurants." The CDC also noted that shredded iceberg lettuce sold in grocery stores or served in other restaurants is not affected. Still, the broader national investigation is far from over. A spokesperson for the Health and Human Services Department said, "The investigation remains active, and additional states, restaurants, retailers, or products may be identified as more information becomes available."

According to the CDC, cyclosporiasis symptoms usually begin about a week after infection, and the illness can last anywhere from two days to two weeks or more. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Patients may need to specifically request testing for Cyclospora, as routine stool tests don't always screen for this parasite. Anyone who ate at an affected Taco Bell location in the five flagged states since mid-May and developed these symptoms should contact a healthcare provider — and make sure to mention the potential exposure.