The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The illnesses included in this outbreak are a subset of the Cyclospora illnesses identified nationwide. Based on epidemiological information collected by the CDC, 1,644 people infected with Cyclospora who reported exposure to Taco Bell have been identified in five 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. MI analyzed food-exposure details from 190 cases that reported eating at Taco Bell and shared these findings with the CDC. Ingredient-level analyses of meals eaten by these cases indicate that 90% of those interviewed reported eating iceberg lettuce. FDA’s traceback investigation has identified convergence on a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell locations where sick people ate before becoming ill. FDA is working directly with the identified supplier to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market. As part of this investigation, FDA and state partners have initiated the collection of product samples for testing and analysis. Additionally, the FDA has increased border screening for products implicated in the outbreak. FDA is also working with Taco Bell, and they have committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA’s traceback investigation. The FDA is aware that the case counts in this advisory may differ from those reported by individual states. State data may include both probable and confirmed cases, whereas the CDC and FDA include only confirmed cases. State case counts may also include initial case reports that have not yet been reported to the CDC. As cases are confirmed, these numbers will continue to update. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-5-state-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026
