A massive outbreak of the parasitic infection *Cyclospora* has sickened approximately **7,000 people** across **34 U.S. states**, prompting a nationwide recall of iceberg lettuce by a major supplier [1][7]. The outbreak, which began in mid-May, is directly linked to **shredded iceberg lettuce** served at **Taco Bell** locations in five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia [1]. While 94 patients required hospitalization, officials report **no deaths** so far [1].
**Michigan** has emerged as the epicenter of the crisis, with over **4,300 confirmed cases** and 102 hospitalizations, the highest numbers in the country [1]. Food exposure interviews in the state revealed that **90%** of Taco Bell patrons who became ill had consumed iceberg lettuce [1]. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced the contamination to a single supplier: **Taylor Farms de Mexico**, a subsidiary of the large agricultural distributor Taylor Farms [1][7]. On July 17, 2026, the company voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market [1].
The parasite, which causes severe **watery diarrhea**, is notoriously difficult to eliminate; it survives standard washing, chlorine treatment, vinegar, and freezing, requiring heating to **158°F (70°C)** or higher for certain destruction [1][10]. Symptoms typically appear about **one week** after exposure, but diagnostic delays can mean the actual number of infected individuals is higher than reported [1]. The CDC recommends that residents in the affected five states avoid eating any shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico at Taco Bell locations until the recall is fully resolved [1].
