Washington, D.C. — A massive lettuce recall tied to a nationwide Cyclospora outbreak is putting consumers and major food brands on alert after federal investigators traced a significant cluster of illnesses to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The recall affects products sold through retailers and food-service customers, with recalled lettuce distributed across 27 states. The FDA says consumers should avoid recalled products while investigators continue working to determine the full scope of the outbreak.
FDA Traces Outbreak to Taylor Farms Lettuce
The investigation began after health officials noticed a significant number of Cyclospora infections among people who reported eating at Taco Bell locations.
The FDA and CDC initially identified illnesses in five states before the investigation expanded. Federal traceback investigators found that the affected Taco Bell locations had received shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, leading to the company’s voluntary recall.
Taylor Farms announced on July 17 that it was removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
The recall includes lettuce products with best-if-used-by dates extending into early August, including Marketside-branded iceberg salad and shredded lettuce sold at select Walmart stores.
Walmart’s Marketside Brand Among Products Affected
Consumers who shop at Walmart are among those being warned about the recalled lettuce.
The FDA specifically identified Marketside 12-ounce and 24-ounce Iceberg Salad and 8-ounce and 16-ounce Shredded Lettuce among the recalled products.
The affected Marketside products were distributed to select Walmart stores in multiple states, including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia, among others.
The broader Taylor Fresh Foods distribution network sent recalled iceberg lettuce to food-service customers across 27 states, meaning restaurants and other food businesses may also have received affected products.
Taco Bell Became a Major Focus of Investigation
Taco Bell became central to the investigation after health officials found that many infected people reported eating at the chain before becoming sick.
In the FDA’s July 24 update, the specific Taco Bell-linked outbreak involved 1,947 confirmed Cyclospora infections across nine states.
Those states were Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
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The outbreak had resulted in at least 98 hospitalizations, although the FDA reported zero deaths in this specific investigation. Taco Bell has said it stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as of July 17.
What Is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis.
According to the FDA, infected people commonly experience frequent diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Some people may experience symptoms for an extended period or have symptoms return after initially improving.
People with weakened immune systems can experience more severe or prolonged illness. The parasite is generally spread when food or water becomes contaminated with infected human fecal matter.
FDA Says Recall Remains Important Despite Testing Issue
The investigation encountered a major development when a lettuce sample initially reported as positive for Cyclospora was later determined by FDA laboratory experts to be a false positive.
However, the agency said that finding did not change the broader epidemiological evidence supporting the recall.
As of July 19, the FDA said there were no confirmed positive product samples for Cyclospora, while traceback and illness data continued to point toward recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.
Consumers who have recalled lettuce should not eat it and should follow the recall instructions for disposal.
The investigation remains ongoing, and federal officials say additional brands, restaurants or distribution channels could potentially be identified as more information becomes available.
Have you checked your refrigerator for recalled lettuce? Do you think food recalls like this should receive more prominent warnings at stores and restaurants? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
