The FDA and CDC are probing Taco Bell’s lettuce supplier, urging consumers in four states to refrain from consuming shredded lettuce.
Federal health officials reported that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora, prompting the company to broaden its multistate recall amid a rising outbreak.
The FDA stated that the contaminated sample was gathered via targeted import surveillance and is not included in Taylor Farms’ existing recall. The agency noted that the affected lot has been detained, and the California‑based produce company is investigating whether any of the contaminated lettuce is still in circulation or in consumers’ possession.
Following this finding, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and removed all such products from the U.S. market due to potential Cyclospora contamination.
“Taylor Farms said, ‘We are actively removing the implicated products. The company has halted receipt of product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of Central Mexican iceberg lettuce, notified its customers, and continues to cooperate with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.'”
TAYLOR FARMS PREPARING RECALL, DENIES BRANDED SALADS TIED TO OUTBREAK
Packages of Taylor Farms salad greens are displayed at a Safeway store in Kings Beach, California, on July 16, 2026. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The recall encompasses 12‑ounce and 24‑ounce bags of Marketside iceberg salad, and 8‑ounce and 16‑ounce bags of Marketside shredded iceberg lettuce that were shipped between June 29 and July 16, with “best if used by” dates from July 18 to August 3, per FDA guidance. It also covers many foodservice‑distributed items.
The lettuce in question was distributed across 27 states. This recall follows the FDA’s Thursday announcement that Taco Bell will cease using lettuce from a supplier linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak that has infected 1,644 individuals, resulting in 94 hospitalizations, with no fatalities reported.
Taco Bell voluntarily removed potentially contaminated lettuce from the supplier in the states where illness reports have emerged.
OHIO MAN SUES TACO BELL FRANCHISEE, CLAIMING CYCLOSPORA INFECTION LEFT HIM SICK FOR 2 WEEKS
The FDA said Taco Bell will stop using lettuce from a supplier linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Taylor Farms previously stated that its branded salad products were not linked to the outbreak.
In a Friday Instagram statement, the company reiterated that none of its branded salad kits are implicated and confirmed it voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce sourced from its Taylor Farms de Mexico operation after receiving FDA information.
The FDA’s trace‑back investigation identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce used at Taco Bell locations where infected customers had dined, noting that not all Taco Bell restaurants in the five affected states received lettuce from this supplier.
FDA SAYS TACO BELL TO STOP USING LETTUCE SUPPLIER LINKED TO MULTISTATE PARASITE OUTBREAK
Packages of Taylor Farms salad greens are displayed at a Safeway store in Kings Beach, California, on July 16, 2026. ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The agency is probing illnesses in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia and has advised residents of those states to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell restaurants.
The FDA says Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, fatigue, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
The agency urged anyone who purchased the recalled lettuce to discard it immediately or return it to the retailer for a refund.