Key points
- CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in 5 states.
- Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- CDC is also investigating other outbreaks and illnesses of cyclosporiasis nationally that are unrelated to this outbreak.
Latest update
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections in 5 states.
Epidemiologic and traceback data show that shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations is contaminated with Cyclospora and is making people sick. FDA is working to determine if this shredded iceberg lettuce went to other places.
Epidemiologic data
Based on epidemiologic information collected by CDC, a total of 1,644 people infected with Cyclospora and reporting exposure to Taco Bell have been reported by 5 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 13, 2026, to July 13, 2026. There have been 94 hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services analyzed food exposure details from 190 of the cases who reported eating at Taco Bell and shared these findings with CDC. Ingredient-level analyses on meals eaten by these cases indicate that 90% of those interviewed reported eating iceberg lettuce.
The true number of sick people in this multistate outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported because it can take as long as 6 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of a Cyclospora outbreak. States in this outbreak may report different illness counts on their websites as they are also counting probable illnesses. CDC and FDA are only reporting on laboratory confirmed cases.
Traceback and laboratory data
FDA's traceback investigation has identified a single supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by the Taco Bell locations where sick people ate before becoming ill. Not all Taco Bell locations in these states received shredded iceberg lettuce from the same supplier. FDA is working with the supplier of iceberg lettuce to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market. Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA's traceback investigation.
FDA and state partners are collecting product samples for testing and analysis. FDA has also increased screening at the border for products implicated in the outbreak.
Public health actions
CDC recommends people not eat any shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Previous updates
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis.
Epidemiologic data
As of July 13, more than 400 people infected with Cyclospora have been reported to CDC from 4 states in connection with this multistate outbreak: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. CDC is aware of additional cases that are still under investigation. Sick people reported symptoms on or after June 22, 2026.
The true number of sick people in this multistate outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it can take several weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.