TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Cyclospora cayetanensis parasitic outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce consumption in the United States continues to widen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the outbreak has expanded across nine states, registering a total of 1,947 cases.
The agency noted that the affected footprint grew from five to nine states as the investigation unfolded. Cases have been recorded in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Among the total patients, 98 have required hospitalization, with no fatalities reported so far.
Investigators found that all confirmed patients reported eating at the fast-food chain Taco Bell before developing symptoms. Prior data gathered by federal officials similarly pointed to chopped lettuce served at the restaurants as the primary source of exposure.
Inquiries subsequently traced the produce back to supplier Taylor Farms de Mexico. "Taco Bell has indicated they are no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as of July 17, 2026," the FDA said, as cited in a Live Science report on July 25, 2026.
The FDA clarified that the infections stem specifically from iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. In response to the finding, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall, pulling all iceberg lettuce sourced from that region off the U.S. market.
The recall includes shipments distributed to the nine affected states alongside several other markets. The FDA is advising consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received the recalled produce to dispose of it immediately and refrain from eating or serving it.
This situation marks one of several active Cyclospora outbreaks currently impacting the United States. The Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite infects humans who ingest contaminated food or water. Federal authorities have not yet formally identified the contamination sources for the other concurrent outbreaks, though some state officials suspect specific food items may be responsible.
"We also expect to continue to see the number of confirmed cases rise, despite the recall, due to the fact that it can take as long as six weeks for CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and state officials to determine if a sick person is part of this outbreak," the FDA wrote in its latest update.
The agency stated that it will continue collaborating with federal and state partners to investigate the multi-state outbreak and ensure that all affected products are completely removed from the market.
Read: Taco Bell Lettuce Tied to Diarrhea-Causing Parasite Outbreak
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