Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 States Confirmed as Source of Parasite Outbreak

ATLANTA (AP) — Federal health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations across five U.S. states as the source of a widespread outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the source late Thursday and warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation identified a single supplier of the lettuce, though the company was not named in the federal warnings. “FDA is working with the supplier of iceberg lettuce to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market,” the CDC stated, adding that Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by the FDA’s traceback investigation.

Outbreak Details

CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states have been investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclospora infections. More than 30 states have reported infections this year, with current data showing the number of cases surpassing the record U.S. mark of approximately 4,700 set in 2019.

The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is typically not life-threatening and is usually treated with antibiotics. Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC. Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer.

The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water.

Taco Bell’s Response

On Tuesday, ahead of the federal government’s confirmation, Taco Bell issued a statement saying it had “voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities.”

Historical Context

Cyclosporiasis is less common than foodborne illnesses caused by other germs, including salmonella and E. coli. While few U.S. cyclospora outbreaks were reported for years, the number began rising about a decade ago, with a notable spike in 2018 and 2019. Experts suggest cases historically were underreported because some common tests used to check for food poisoning were not geared to detect cyclospora. They attribute the increasing trend to climate change and better detection methods.

This story was originally published by The Associated Press on July 17, 2026.

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