FOOD SAFETY · UNITED STATES
Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Recalled Iceberg Lettuce
CDC and FDA are investigating illnesses linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. Use the official recall details to identify affected products.
Do not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. Throw it away or return it, and clean items or surfaces that may have touched it.
CONFIRMED PRODUCTS
Retail products specifically identified by FDA
- Marketside Iceberg Salad — 12-ounce and 24-ounce packages.
- Marketside Shredded Lettuce — 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages.
- Best-if-used-by dates run from July 18 through August 3, 2026.
- Additional foodservice products and multiple lots are listed in the linked official recall notice.
Do not assume every lettuce product or every Walmart item is recalled. Match the product against the official FDA recall information.
CURRENT OUTBREAK NUMBERS
CDC’s July 24 update
- At least 1,947 laboratory-confirmed cases associated with this outbreak.
- At least 98 hospitalizations and no reported deaths.
- Nine outbreak states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
- The true number may be higher, and classification can take up to six weeks.
These figures apply to this specific outbreak. CDC is separately investigating other Cyclospora illnesses nationwide.
WHAT TO DO
If you have a recalled product
- Do not eat or serve it. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
- Wash items and surfaces that may have touched it with hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
- If you develop symptoms, contact a healthcare provider and mention possible exposure.
- Stay hydrated if you have diarrhea and follow your healthcare provider’s advice.
SYMPTOMS
What CDC says to watch for
Symptoms commonly include watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas and nausea. They usually begin about one week after infection, but the range can be two days to two weeks or longer. Without treatment, symptoms can last from a few days to a month or longer and may return.
Routine stool testing does not always include Cyclospora. CDC advises contacting a healthcare provider if you have symptoms; this page cannot diagnose illness.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS
What this alert does not mean
- It does not mean all iceberg lettuce is contaminated.
- It does not mean every Taco Bell or Walmart location received recalled product.
- Recall distribution states are not the same thing as states reporting outbreak cases.
- A corrected false-positive product sample did not end the investigation; FDA says epidemiological and traceback evidence still supports the recall.
QUESTIONS
Quick answers from the official guidance
Can washing guarantee Cyclospora is removed?
No. CDC says washing alone cannot guarantee removal. Do not eat recalled lettuce.
When might symptoms begin?
Usually about one week after infection, with a reported range from two days to two weeks or more.
Is this page medical advice?
No. It summarizes public agency guidance and links to CDC and FDA. Contact a healthcare professional for individual advice or symptoms.