Federal health officials have been investigating five separate clusters of cyclosporiasis cases since May, with at least two investigations currently ongoing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified over 11,500 domestic cases this season, composed of 4,173 confirmed cases and approximately 7,400 undergoing further testing. The true number of sick individuals is likely higher as many people recover without medical attention or testing. Additionally, 440 cases in 35 states have been confirmed in people who traveled outside the U.S. before falling ill. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC have reported 1,645 people sickened and 141 hospitalized, though state reports indicate much higher numbers.
The largest and most prominent cluster is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico, served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The CDC has confirmed 1,644 infections associated with this specific outbreak. Michigan alone reports 6,571 cases, an increase of over 400 since Monday morning, and Ohio reports 2,029 cases. Taco Bell has ceased using lettuce from Taylor Farms. Taylor Farms, a major corporate entity with $6 billion in revenue and 25,000 employees, recalled its shredded iceberg lettuce and salad kits containing iceberg lettuce on July 17, affecting 27 states with distribution from June 29 through July 16.
Despite a briefly publicized false positive test result for cyclospora on a Taylor Farms lettuce sample, the FDA remains focused on the company's lettuce as the source. Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating, "FDA’s traceback investigation and the outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms’ locations in central Mexico." The FDA emphasized the necessity of taking action to ensure contaminated products are removed from the market and is now testing produce coming across the U.S. border.
