FDA confirms that Taylor Farms lettuce is contaminated with parasite behind massive outbreak

The FDA has confirmed that shredded iceberg lettuce and salad kits containing iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms is contaminated with the cyclospora parasite responsible for an outbreak that has sickened thousands.

On July 18 the Food and Drug Administration reported that Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico, is recalling all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. Taylor Fresh Foods’ recall notice included Marketside-brand products available at Walmart stores.

The recall also includes products distributed to a wide variety of food service operations, including Taco Bell restaurants in several states.

There is concern that consumers may have the recalled products in their homes because of their long shelf life, which reaches to Aug. 3. Recalled consumer products, including Marketside brand products sold at Walmart stores, are as follows:

• 12-oz and 24-oz Iceberg Salad with Best if Used By dates 7/18/2026 to 8/3/2026 
• 8-oz and 16-oz Shredded Lettuce with Best if Used By dates July 18th to Aug 3rd 2026

A complete list of affected products distributed to Taylor Fresh Foods food service customers including lot codes, use-by dates, and instructions for returning or disposing of the affected product is available on the company’s recall notice. 

The FDA, CDC and state health departments have been investigating a massive outbreak of cyclospora infections that began in mid-June. On July 18 the FDA announced that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora. 

The sample was collected during targeted import surveillance as a result of the outbreak investigation. Taylor Farms has confirmed that this positive product is not part of their current recall. They are currently working to identify whether any part of this implicated lot is available in commerce or in consumers homes. The positive lot is currently detained and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Taylor Fresh Foods distributed recalled iceberg products from June 29 through July 16 in AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI. 

Recalled Marketside-brand iceberg products were sold at Walmart stores in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, OK, TN, TX, VA, WV. 

Taco Bell locations that received recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico includes restaurants in at least IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV. Additional states may be added to the FDA’s advisory as more information becomes available. Taco Bell has indicated they are no longer using lettuce from the Taylor Farms growing operation in Mexico.

The health department in Michigan reported on July 17 that the state has 5,002 patients with 102 hospitalizations. By this time of year, Michigan usually has 40 to 50 confirmed cases of confirmed cyclospora infections.

Indiana is reporting more than 320 patients; Kentucky is reporting more than 190; Ohio is reporting more than 1,240; and West Virginia is reporting 139 cases.

As of July 17, the CDC was reporting only 1,644 people infected with Cyclospora and reporting exposure to Taco Bell, with the infections in only five states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 13 to July 13. 

The CDC is also investigating cyclospora parasitic infections in a total of 34 states. The agency says there is likely more than one outbreak and it is investigating 5,100 additional illnesses.

Numbers from the CDC are lagging behind state reports because the agency stopped tracking cyclospora infections and seven other types of foodborne pathogens beginning July 1, 2025.

The main symptom of cyclospora infection is severe diarrhea, which can last for a month or more if not treated and can easily cause serious dehydration.

Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery and often explosive diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections.

Recalled Taylor Farms products are as follows:

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