Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used at these Taco Bell restaurants.

In response, Taco Bell has taken "immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states," according to a company spokesperson. The affected ingredient is being removed from Taco Bell's supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states. Taco Bell also encouraged other restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to take similar precautionary measures.

Taylor Fresh Foods, the fruit and vegetable producer behind the lettuce, announced it is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market indefinitely. The FDA traceback points to a specific independent farm representing less than 1% of the U.S.'s iceberg lettuce supply as the potential source of the outbreak.

The CDC reported more than 1,644 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across the country, with 94 hospitalizations and no reported deaths so far. A backlog of 5,100 cases requires further analysis. Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s division of foodborne, waterborne, and environmental diseases, noted an unusually high number of cases this summer and said the true number of infections is likely higher due to mild cases going unreported.

Taylor Farms, founded by Bruce Taylor in 1995 in the Salinas Valley of Monterey County, California, remains family-owned. The company was previously linked to a 2024 E. coli outbreak involving raw onions.

The CDC and FDA continue to investigate other cyclosporiasis illnesses that may be unrelated to the lettuce supplied to Taco Bell, working in collaboration with state and local partners.

Notable Quotes

  • Taco Bell: "Immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states."
  • Taylor Fresh Foods: "While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm... as the potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely."
  • CDC and FDA: Investigations continue "in collaboration with state and local partners."
  • Taco Bell: "We believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests."
  • Taco Bell: "Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same."

Sources