The CDC has declared that a Cyclospora outbreak associated with iceberg lettuce is over.
The outbreak sickened 12,883 patients from 21 states. Since the last update, one additional state has been added: Virginia.The outbreak resulted in 570 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms growing and production operation in Central Mexico was named by the Food and Drug Administration as the likely vehicle for the parasite. The FDA’s investigation of the outbreak associated with Taylor Farms de Mexico continues, as well as the investigations into smaller Cyclospora outbreak clusters experienced this summer.
The large outbreak includes people who reported exposure to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served or purchased at various locations, including people who previously reported eating at Taco Bell.
Most of these illnesses began before the Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce recall on July 17. The recall affected iceberg lettuce products purchased and distributed by Sysco, which is the largest foodservice provider in the country, selling products to a wide variety of restaurants and other foodservice operations. Iceberg lettuce products sold at Walmart stores were also included in the recall.
The FDA’s onsite inspections and sample collection at iceberg lettuce growers and the processing facility in Mexico, in coordination with Mexican officials, have ended. Samples from the onsite inspections are pending analysis.
The FDA announced its investigation into the outbreak on July 16. The agency did not say how long the investigation had been underway. On July 17, the agency reported that traceback had converged on a single supplier of the iceberg lettuce, Taylor Farms de Mexico, who then initiated a voluntary recall on the same day.
On August 20, 2026, the FDA announced that it had initiated onsite inspections and sample collection at lettuce growers in Mexico.
During the week of Sept. 8, senior FDA and Mexican public health and agricultural officials met to encourage continued engagement on a prevention focused framework to address outbreaks linked to produce grown in Mexico.
The FDA is sending a letter to industry calling for collaboration to address Cyclospora contamination throughout the supply chain.
"FDA reminds the regulated industry that they must apply established, science-based agricultural water management practices, worker health and hygiene controls, and buildings and equipment sanitation practices, consistent with FSMA's Produce Safety Rule (21 CFR Part 112), and, as appropriate, requirements under FSMA’s Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule (21 CFR Part 117) such as having a strong and effective supplier program," according to the industry letter.
"For importers, these requirements include rigorous foreign supplier verification consistent with 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart L (§§ 1.500–1.514.) Strong supplier verification is critical to ensuring that produce entering U.S. commerce meets U.S. food safety standards. We encourage you to review your programs now, assess whether they are functioning as intended, and strengthen them where gaps exist."
The FDA is continuing its investigation into the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico, while also transitioning to post-response, prevention-oriented activities which will be updated on an ongoing basis.
The FDA will provide updates on Cyclospora prevention efforts on a new page: Post-Outbreak Response Activities: Multistate Outbreaks of Cyclospora Illnesses.
About Cyclospora infections
Food that is contaminated with Cyclospora parasites does not look, smell or taste bad. The parasites are microscopic organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite.
Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it's rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections.
Symptoms can last for a month or more and can reoccur for several more months if not treated.
Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people somehow ingest contaminated feces, typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and salmonella, which can also be spread from animal fecal matter.
Previous U.S. outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce, including lettuce, basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas.
Food safety experts say there's no evidence that washing the produce will remove the parasite. Chlorine and other sanitizers do not kill the parasite.
