Taco Bell lettuce connected to explosive diarrhea outbreak
Federal health officials said lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants had been linked to an outbreak of the stomach-churning parasitic infection.
A sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico has tested positive for cyclospora, federal health officials said, noting that the lettuce was collected as part of an ongoing investigation and is not included in the company’s recall.
The investigation has raised questions about whether there is more lettuce that puts people at risk.
In the latest update from the Food and Drug Administration, the agency said July 18 that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico has tested positive for cyclospora. The sample was not part of the lettuce recalled July 17.
The FDA said the contaminated sample was collected through targeted import surveillance as part of the agency’s investigation. The agency said Taylor Farms confirmed the positive sample is not part of the company’s voluntary recall.
The company is “working to identify whether any part of this implicated lot is available in commerce or in consumers’ homes,” the FDA said. The positive lot is being detained while the investigation continues, the agency said.
The latest development came a day after Taylor Farms de Mexico announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced in central Mexico from the U.S. market following the FDA’s traceback investigation. The agency said additional information would be released as it becomes available.
FDA traceback identified Taylor Farms supplier
On Friday, July 17, the FDA said its traceback investigation identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the common supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants, where infected customers reported eating before becoming ill.
The company is based in Guanajuato, Mexico. The FDA said Taylor Fresh Foods also recalled certain Marketside-brand bagged lettuce products sold at Walmart.
The recalled Walmart products include 12-ounce and 24-ounce Marketside Iceberg Salad bags and 8-ounce and 16-ounce Marketside Shredded Lettuce with “Best if Used By” dates ranging from July 18 through Aug. 3, 2026. Customers are advised to discard the products or return them for a refund.
Taco Bell, Walmart removed affected lettuce
Taco Bell said July 17 that it had removed all lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its restaurants after federal officials linked shredded iceberg lettuce served at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia to the outbreak.
Walmart also removed select Marketside iceberg lettuce products from stores in 27 states as a precaution. It said that no confirmed illnesses had been tied to the retail products but that customer safety was its top priority.
Taylor Farms has said that no Taylor Farms branded salad kits or packaged salads are associated with the outbreak and that it acted after receiving information from the FDA.
Cyclospora outbreak spans dozens of states
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestinal tract and can cause prolonged diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Federal officials have said the outbreak has sickened people in 34 states. In Michigan alone, more than 5,000 cases and 102 hospitalizations had been reported as of July 16, according to state health officials.
The FDA said investigators are continuing to determine whether any products from the laboratory-confirmed positive lot reached consumers. In the meantime, the agency urged consumers and businesses to follow recall guidance and avoid eating recalled lettuce products.
Contributing, Mike Snider
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT