Updated July 24, 2026, 1:00. PM – Taylor Farms has recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico and supplied to Taco Bell restaurants and other locations after FDA investigators identified it as the source of a fast-growing multistate Cyclospora outbreak that includes Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In Michigan alone, more than 8,000 illnesses have been reported since the end of June.
As the case count surged in recent weeks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was conducting a traceback investigation that identified a single supplier, Taylor Farms de Mexico, as the source of the lettuce. In a statement today, Taylor Farms said the implicated farm represents less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply, but that the company is removing all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely. No other Taylor Farms products are implicated, according to the statement.
Infections from Cyclospora, a parasite native to tropical climates, cause frequent bouts of explosive diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms that can last for weeks in untreated. Patients can become dehydrated and require hospitalization.
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Rapidly Growing Outbreak in Michigan
Michigan’s Cyclospora outbreak now includes 8,176 reported cases, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Northwest Ohio has reported 2,029 laboratory-positive cases as of July 20, according to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. The publicly reported total has increased rapidly since June 30:
- 170 cases on June 30
- 572 on July 4
- 992 on July 8
- 1,251 on July 9
- 1,562 on July 10
- 2,640 on July 13
- 3,309 on July 14
- 4,312 on July 16
- 5,002 on July 17
- 6,148 on July 20
- 7,171 on July 22
- 8,176 on July 24
Some Michigan Cases are Part of a 9-State Outbreak
Federal investigators have now linked part of the Michigan activity to a broader outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says more than 1,947 people in nine states are connected to a large multistate Cyclospora outbreak: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. At least 98 people have been hospitalized. Illnesses began on or after June 22. CDC, FDA, and public health officials linked the outbreak to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in those states.
Quick Facts About This Michigan Cyclospora Outbreak
- Reported illnesses: 8,176 cases as of July 22, 2026. MDHHS says the count reflects cases reported during the outbreak investigation period and may change as more information becomes available.
- Hospitalizations: 160 reported patients had been hospitalized as of July 24. Hospitalization data are updated less frequently than the weekday case total.
- Multistate connection: CDC says more than 1,947 people in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are connected to a large multistate outbreak.
- Source: Shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico
- Taco Bell investigation: CDC and FDA have confirmed that the outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell locations. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single lettuce supplier, Taylor Farms de México. Taco Bell says it has removed lettuce from the identified supplier, and federal officials are investigating whether the product was distributed to other restaurants, retailers, or businesses.
- Geographic spread: Detailed data, last updated July 24, lists cases in 71 counties. Michigan has a total of 83 counties.
- Main symptom: Frequent watery diarrhea that can be explosive and may improve and then return.
- What to do: Contact a healthcare provider, ask about Cyclospora stool testing, report to your local health department if diagnosed, and save purchase records. Then contact an experienced food poisoning attorney if you think contaminated food sold or served by a company made you sick.
North Carolina is also reporting elevated cyclosporiasis activity, but NCDHHS says its 561-case increase does not currently appear connected to this Taco Bell/lettuce outbreak. Parsley, cilantro and lettuce are recurring in North Carolina interviews, with no confirmed source.
Taylor Farms Lettuce Recall
On July 17, Taylor Farms de México of Guanajuato, Mexico, issued a recall for iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico for potential Cyclospora contamination. The recall, issued after FDA investigators linked the company’s chopped iceberg lettuce sold at select Taco Bell locations to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, includes lettuce sold in 27 states.
The recalled shredded iceberg product was distributed to restaurants, Walmart, Sysco, and other foodservice companies from June 29 through July 16 in the following states: 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.
Walmart Lettuce Cyclospora Recall
The Taylor Farms Cyclospora recall includes Marketside bagged lettuce sold at Walmart stores in AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, OK, TN, TX, VA, WV
- Marketside Iceberg Salad 12 oz and 24 oz – distributed July 18, 2026, to August 3, 2026
- Marketside shredded Lettuce 8 oz and 16 oz – distributed July 18, to Aug 3rd 2026
Previous Outbreaks Linked to Taylor Farms Produce
Taylor Farms is based in Salinas, CA, and operates multiple facilities in the U.S. and Mexico. Locations include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas, and Mexico. This is the fourth major multistate food poisoning outbreak linked to Taylor Farms produce since 2013.
2024 Fatal McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak
In 2024, a fatal E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers caused 104 illnesses and one death. Thirty-four people were hospitalized, four of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure.
Taylor Farms, a McDonald’s supplier, issued a recall for onions produced at its Colorado facility on October 24, 2024. FDA inspectors found multiple food safety violations at the plant where the onions were produced.
2015 Costco Chicken Salad E. coli Outbreak
In 2015, an E. coli outbreak linked to Costco chicken salad sickened 19 people in seven states. Five people were hospitalized, two of them with HUS.
The Montana Public Health Laboratory tested a sample of celery and onion diced blend produced by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc., and collected from a Costco store in Montana, and the results indicated the presence of E. coli O157:H7. The product was used to make the Costco rotisserie chicken salad. Further laboratory analysis by the FDA was unable to confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in the sample of celery and onion diced blend. But on November 26, 2015, Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc., recalled the celery and onion diced blend for possible E. coli O157:H7.
2013 Cyclospora Outbreak at Olive Garden and Red Lobster
In 2013, bagged salad mix produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants caused 239 illnesses. Different food sources caused 400 more cases in 23 other states that summer, the first year Cyclospora made an appearance as the source of a major, non-travel-related foodborne outbreak in the U.S.
Taylor Farms de Mexico suspended operations for two weeks while the FDA investigated. The company received permission from the agency to restart after agreeing to implement a comprehensive Cyclospora sampling program for leafy greens and other products from their farms and processing facility in Mexico. The program was also supposed to include water sampling and continued monitoring of the sanitary conditions at the facilities
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a parasite native to tropical climates that causes illness when people consume food or water contaminated with human feces containing it. Outbreaks are frequently associated with fresh produce.
Humans are the only known species that the parasite Cyclospora infects. In the U.S., non-travel-related cases are frequently linked to imported produce. Previous Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to bagged salad, cilantro, basil, snow peas, and berries.
What are the Symptoms of a Cyclospora Infection?
Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection, called cyclosporiasis, usually appear within 1 to 14 days of exposure. They can seem to improve and then return, making it hard for people to work, travel, care for children, attend school, or keep up with daily responsibilities. Without treatment, cyclosporiasis symptoms can last for months.
They include:
- Frequent bouts of watery, sometimes explosive diarrhea.
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Stomach cramps or abdominal pain
- Bloating and increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue that can be severe
- Vomiting, body aches, headache, or low-grade fever in some patients
Usually, these infections are not life-threatening, but dehydration from symptoms can cause severe illness, especially among children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems.
How is Cyclosporiasis Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosis usually requires a stool sample. If you have sudden, ongoing diarrhea and may be part of the Michigan outbreak, tell your healthcare provider about the outbreak and ask whether Cyclospora testing should be ordered. Some stool tests do not automatically look for Cyclospora unless the provider or laboratory specifically considers it.
The CDC’s clinical care guidance states that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, often called TMP-SMX, is the treatment of choice. Treatment decisions belong to your healthcare provider, especially if you have medication allergies, pregnancy concerns, immune system issues, dehydration, kidney disease, or other medical risks.
People at higher risk of dehydration or serious illness, including young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, should be especially careful about prolonged diarrhea and fluid loss.
What Should You Do if You Develop Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis?
If you think you may be part of this outbreak, take these steps now:
- Get medical care and testing. Tell your provider about the Michigan Cyclospora outbreak and ask whether stool testing for Cyclospora is appropriate. Standard parasite testing may not include Cyclospora, and the MDHHS provider bulletin advises providers to ensure the stool order specifically targets Cyclospora.
- Report a positive diagnosis. If you test positive, make sure the health department is notified. Public health interviews help investigators find the source.
- Write a food history. List produce, salads, herbs, berries you ate at home, restaurants, catered meals, workplace meals, school or event meals, and travel during the two weeks before symptoms began.
- Save purchase records. Keep receipts, grocery receipts, loyalty-card records, delivery-app orders, restaurant receipts, credit-card statements, photos of packaging, product labels, and store notices. If you ate at Taco Bell or another restaurant, save the exact location, date, time, menu items, app order, payment record, and any photograph of a posted ingredient notice.
- Save medical and wage records. Keep bills, prescription receipts, discharge papers, messages with providers, missed-work records, and notes about symptom days.
- Talk to a Cyclospora attorney early. Evidence can disappear quickly in produce cases. A lawyer can help identify stores, suppliers, restaurants, and records that may connect your illness to the outbreak.
What Happened in the Michigan Cyclospora Outbreak?
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and local health departments are investigating this outbreak.
MDHHS announced the outbreak on July 1, 2026 after more than 170 cases had been reported during the preceding nine days. Michigan usually records only about 40 to 50 cyclosporiasis cases during an entire year. The publicly reported outbreak total rose to 572 on July 4, 992 on July 8, 1,251 on July 9, 1,562 on July 10, 2,640 on July 13, 3,309 on July 14, 4,312 on July 16, 5,002 on July 17, and 6,148, and 7,171 on July 22.
Detailed geographic data last updated July 17 list cases in 64 counties plus the City of Detroit. Wayne County had 339 reported cases, Washtenaw 290, Monroe 258, Ingham 219, Shiawassee 208, Oakland 192, and Lenawee 161. These county figures are updated less frequently than the statewide total and should not be expected to add up to the July 14 statewide count.
CDC’s July 21 surveillance update reports 4,173 laboratory-confirmed domestically acquired cases in 41 states, including 308 hospitalizations and no deaths. CDC is also aware of more than 7,400 additional reports requiring confirmation and analysis.
CDC and Michigan use different reporting definitions and schedules. Michigan’s total includes probable and confirmed cases reported during the state outbreak investigation period, while CDC’s surveillance count includes lab-confirmed domestically acquired cases that have reached the federal system. The figures should not be added together or treated as directly comparable. CDC says state and federal partners are investigating several outbreaks, including a multistate outbreak.
FDA continues to list several active Cyclospora traceback investigations involving products that have not yet been publicly identified. No FDA consumer advisory has identified a specific food product or announced a recall tied to the Michigan outbreak.
CDC Connects Michigan to a Five-State Multistate Outbreak
CDC’s July 24 update identifies at least 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. People included in the outbreak reported Taco Bell exposure. CDC and FDA link the outbreak to recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The nine-state outbreak is a subset of Michigan’s larger reported activity and the broader national increase. It does not establish that every Michigan case or every U.S. Cyclospora illness came from the same lettuce, restaurant or supplier.
What Other States are Reporting Surges in Cyclospora Infections?
Cyclospora activity is increasing well beyond Michigan. CDC reports 1,645 lab-confirmed domestically acquired cases in 34 states, 141 hospitalizations, and no deaths as of July 13. CDC is also aware of more than 5,100 additional reports that require further analysis. State totals may be more current and can include probable cases that are not reflected in CDC’s confirmed count.
CDC says several outbreaks are being investigated, including a multistate outbreak. This does not mean every case reported nationally came from the same food or business. For continually updated national coverage, see our article on Cyclospora outbreaks surging across the United States.
Can I Sue if I got Cyclospora in the Michigan Outbreak?
Yes, a Cyclospora lawsuit may be possible if evidence connects your diagnosed illness to contaminated food sold or served by a company. Pritzker Hageman has a detailed guide on suing for Cyclospora food poisoning from produce, and the same evidence principles apply here: a confirmed diagnosis, proof of exposure to the implicated food, and documented damages.
Although investigators have identified lettuce or salad greens as a potential source, the specific contaminated product and responsible supply chain have not been identified. Patients should preserve evidence, cooperate with health officials, and obtain legal advice before receipts, ordering records, packaging, surveillance video, distributor records, and other traceback evidence disappear.
Depending on the facts, potential defendants in a Cyclospora case can include produce growers, packing houses, processors, distributors, grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, institutional foodservice companies, or others in the supply chain. Read more about grocery store Cyclospora claims and restaurant food poisoning lawsuits.
How Can Our Lawyers Help You?
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What Damages Can a Cyclospora Lawsuit Include?
A food poisoning claim can seek compensation for the harm caused by the illness. Depending on the facts, damages may include:
- Medical bills and out-of-pocket healthcare costs
- Prescription expenses and follow-up care
- Lost wages or lost business income
- Travel costs and other expenses caused by the illness
- Pain, suffering, fatigue, and loss of normal life
- Wrongful death damages if a foodborne illness leads to death
The value of a case depends on evidence, diagnosis, length and severity of illness, medical treatment, wage loss, long-term effects, and whether investigators can link the illness to a legally responsible company.
Why Hire Pritzker Hageman Food Safety Lawyers for Your Cyclospora Outbreak Case?
Pritzker Hageman’s Cyclospora lawyers have represented clients in major Cyclospora outbreaks linked to restaurants, grocery stores, salad, vegetable trays, herbs, and other fresh produce. The firm’s food safety team has handled claims involving outbreaks linked to McDonald’s salads, Del Monte vegetable trays sold at Kwik Trip and other retailers, Taylor Farms/Darden restaurant salad, fresh basil, and other produce vehicles.
Our food poisoning attorneys work with epidemiologists, microbiologists, and traceback experts. We look for the evidence that links a person’s diagnosis to a contaminated food source: testing, interviews, purchase records, lot codes, distribution records, supplier data, and government findings.
Pritzker Hageman has a national food poisoning practice and can help clients who were sickened while traveling, eating at chain restaurants, buying food from multi-state grocery retailers, or attending events. For a free consultation, call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or contact Pritzker Hageman online. We are not paid unless we win.
How to Reduce the Risk of Getting Sick
MDHHS now recommends focusing particular attention on lettuce and salad greens. The state advises buying whole heads of lettuce rather than prewashed bagged lettuce or premixed salad kits, discarding the outer two to three layers, and washing the inner leaves under clean running water.
Washing reduces risk but does not guarantee that Cyclospora will be removed. MDHHS says rewashing bagged lettuce is unlikely to eliminate the parasite and recommends cooking greens to an internal temperature of at least 158°F when possible.
MDHHS recommendations include:
- Buy whole heads of lettuce rather than prewashed bagged lettuce or premixed salad kits. Remove and discard the outer two to three layers before preparation. Wash the remaining inner leaves under clean running water and cook greens to at least 158°F when possible.
- Wash herbs such as cilantro and basil, green onions, raspberries, and snow peas carefully under running water; rub or scrub firm produce where appropriate.
- Wash hands, cutting boards, utensils, display cases, refrigerator bins, and food-contact surfaces after handling produce.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
The CDC also cautions that chemical disinfection and sanitizing methods are unlikely to kill Cyclospora on food, which is one reason public health source identification is so important.
How Public Health Interviews Can Help Identify the Source
Cyclospora investigations can be difficult because many people eat several fresh produce items during the exposure window. Health departments compare food histories from many patients to look for common products, brands, stores, restaurants, events, distributors, or suppliers. A single person’s food history may not identify the source, but many interviews together can point investigators in the right direction.
MDHHS reported on July 13 that more than 1,000 detailed patient interviews had been completed. Those interviews produced a recurring lettuce exposure signal, which is why officials now describe lettuce or salad greens as a potential source. Traceback work is continuing to determine whether the cases converge on a particular product, processor, distributor, restaurant supplier, or growing source.
That is why diagnosed patients should take health department calls seriously. Before the interview, it can help to review grocery receipts, loyalty-card records, restaurant and delivery-app orders, photos of meals, calendars, family menus, workplace cafeteria records, and travel details. If multiple household members are sick, each person’s symptom timeline can matter.
Is Taco Bell Being Investigated in the Michigan Cyclospora Outbrek?
Yes, the CDC and FDA have identified food served at Taco Bell as the source of some Cyclospora illnesses in Michigan.
Michigan Cyclospora outbreak FAQ
Yes. Investigators have identified iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as the source of this outbreak.
Detailed MDHHS data last updated July 16 list the highest totals in Wayne County with 582 cases, Washtenaw with 474, Oakland with 396, Ingham with 393, Monroe with 286, Shiawassee with 278, and Lenawee with 205. County data are updated less frequently than the statewide total.
Yes, the CDC and FDA said shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell locations is the source of a multistate outbreak that includes Michigan.
Yes. CDC says more than 1,644 people in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky are connected to a large multistate outbreak.
Taylor Farms said in a statement that no retail products are implicated.
The most common symptom is watery diarrhea, often frequent and sometimes explosive. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, body aches, headache, and low-grade fever.
Symptoms usually begin about one week after exposure, but they can start anywhere within 1 to 14 days of exposure.
Direct person-to-person spread is unlikely because Cyclospora generally needs time in the environment after leaving the body before it becomes infectious. Food or water contamination is the usual concern in outbreaks.
If you have sudden, ongoing diarrhea and may have been exposed in the Michigan outbreak, tell your provider about the outbreak and ask whether stool testing for Cyclospora is appropriate.
Cyclosporiasis is treated differently than most bacterial infections. Your healthcare provider should decide the right treatment based on your health history, medications, allergies, and symptoms.
A lawsuit may be possible if evidence connects a diagnosed illness to contaminated food sold or served by a company. Investigators have identified lettuce or salad greens as a potential source, but the particular product and supply chain remain unknown. Preserve evidence and seek legal guidance before purchase, ordering, supplier, and medical records disappear.
Save medical records, test results, receipts, loyalty-card records, delivery orders, restaurant receipts, photos of product labels, packaging, food histories, wage-loss records, and communications with health officials.
No. What matters is where and how you were exposed, whether you were diagnosed, and whether evidence links your illness to contaminated food sold or served by a responsible company. Travelers and out-of-state residents can still be part of an outbreak investigation, and contaminated food products may have been sold out of state, as well.
Call your healthcare provider for medical guidance, cooperate with your local health department, and contact Pritzker Hageman for a free legal consultation at 1-888-377-8900 or by text at 612-261-0856. You can also use our online contact form.
Related Pritzker Hageman Resources
- Can I Sue For Cyclospora Food Poisoning From Produce?
- Summertime is Peak Season for Cyclospora
- Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak Ends With 701 Sick
- Cyclospora Parasite Poses Seasonal Threat to Fresh Produce
- First Iowa McDonald’s Cyclospora Lawsuit Filed by Pritzker Hageman Attorneys
- Taco Del GNAR Cyclospora Outbreak in Ridgway, CO
- Supply Chain Failure Led to Alabama Cyclospora Outbreak
- Iowa Salad Cyclospora Outbreak Hits ALDI, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco Shoppers
- Can I Sue a Grocery Store for Cyclospora?
- 5 Reasons to File a Cyclospora Lawsuit
- Cyclospora from Restaurant Food Drives Summer Case Total to 1,696
- Cyclospora Legal News Archive
Experienced Cyclospora Lawyers
If you or a family member were diagnosed with cyclosporiasis after eating fresh produce, salad, herbs, berries, grocery food, restaurant food, catered food, or foodservice meals in Michigan, Pritzker Hageman wants to help. Our lawyers can review your food history, purchase records, medical diagnosis, and potential outbreak connection.
Pritzker Hageman Cyclospora lawyers have represented clients sickened in every major Cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. To request a free consultation about your potential case, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or complete the form below.