Taylor Farms lettuce sample tests positive for Cyclospora as recall expands

Recalled Products and Distribution Scope

The recall involves shredded iceberg lettuce produced at the Taylor Farms de Mexico facility in Guanajuato. According to Foxbusiness, the affected items include 12-ounce and 24-ounce bags of Marketside iceberg salad, along with 8-ounce and 16-ounce bags of Marketside shredded iceberg lettuce. These products were distributed between June 29 and July 16, with best if used by dates spanning from July 18 through August 3.

While the recall currently impacts 27 states, the full extent of the contamination remains unclear. The Guardian reports that the company has not specified all brand names or identified every location where the products were sold, complicating efforts for consumers and retailers to clear their inventory. Major retailers, including Costco, Target, and Walmart, carry products from the producer, which also owns organic brands such as Earthbound Farm.

FDA Investigation and Taco Bell Response

The FDA’s traceback investigation has identified the Taylor Farms de Mexico facility as the source of shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations where customers reported illness. In response, Taco Bell has voluntarily removed the implicated lettuce from restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

“The company has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we are continuing to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.”

Taylor Farms, via Fox Business

Dr. Donald Prater, acting deputy commissioner for food at the FDA, confirmed that the agency is actively monitoring the situation. What I can say at this point is that we’re continuing our traceback investigation on multiple produce items, including the lettuce, Prater told journalists on Tuesday.

Outbreak Statistics and Public Health Risks

The current outbreak has resulted in 1,644 reported illnesses and 94 hospitalizations across five states, though no deaths have been linked to the parasite. Health officials warn that the number of cases may continue to climb. As reported by The Guardian, Michigan alone has confirmed more than 5,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, a significant increase compared to the 249 total cases reported nationwide during the summer of 2025.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes gastrointestinal distress, including severe diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. The FDA has cautioned that the investigation is ongoing, and it is possible that additional brands, retailers, or distribution channels may be linked to the contamination as the review progresses.

Historical Context and Industry Challenges

This incident marks another instance of foodborne illness linked to the producer. In 2013, the company was associated with a Cyclospora outbreak at restaurant chains including Olive Garden and Red Lobster. More recently, in October 2024, the company was linked to an E. coli outbreak involving slivered onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, addressed the outbreak in recent public comments. There are cyclospora outbreaks every summer, Kennedy said on a podcast. Now that we know the probable culprit, I think it’s going to be much easier for people to make healthy choices.

Consumers who purchased the recalled lettuce are urged to discard the items or return them to the place of purchase. The FDA continues to monitor the situation, and further updates are expected as the agency tracks the potential contamination across other produce items grown or processed in the same Mexican facility.