A multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce has sickened more than 1,600 Taco Bell customers, prompting urgent warnings from federal health agencies.
Late Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations.
Officials have confirmed 1,644 cases of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Untreated infections can persist for weeks and lead to dehydration or more serious complications.
At least 94 people have been hospitalized. The outbreak is concentrated in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, though data suggests potential spread across as many as 38 states.
Federal investigators traced the contaminated lettuce to a supplier in Mexico. The parasite was found in shredded iceberg lettuce distributed to Taco Bell restaurants.
Taco Bell announced on July 16 that it removed potentially affected lettuce from select states and pulled all iceberg lettuce from its national supply chain, replacing it within 24 hours.
The implicated supplier has previously been associated with other major foodborne illness outbreaks, including a 2024 E. coli incident tied to onions and a 2013 parasite outbreak.
