Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Iceberg Lettuce Nears Its End, but Case Counts Still Rising

Federal health officials say the specific iceberg lettuce tied to the summer Cyclospora outbreak has been removed from the market, and they are no longer advising consumers to avoid iceberg lettuce in general. The risk to shoppers who purchase lettuce that is not part of the recall is considered low.

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In June 2024, a surge of cyclosporiasis cases was traced to shredded iceberg lettuce served at several Taco Bell locations. Laboratory genotyping linked the parasite to a single processing operation of Taylor Farms de Mexico, which supplies iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. The company issued a nationwide recall covering Marketside salad packs and shredded lettuce with best-if-used-by dates from July 18 to August 3.

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• June 14: First illness onsets recorded.

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• July 17: Taylor Farms announced removal of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and initiated the recall.

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• July 18 – August 3: Best-if-used-by dates on the recalled product.

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• August 15: Most recent illness onset reported.

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• August 20: Federal update listed 10,930 illnesses in 17 states and at least 454 hospitalizations.

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• August 27: Updated count rose to 11,458 illnesses across 20 states, with 495 hospitalizations and two deaths.

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• Confirmed illnesses: 11,458 (FDA and CDC).

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• Hospitalizations: At least 495.

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• Deaths: Two, both in Michigan.

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• Geographic spread: Cases confirmed in 20 states, including Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas.

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• Recall scope: All iceberg lettuce from the central-Mexico operation removed; no product remains on shelves or in restaurants.

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• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that Cyclospora is not transmitted person-to-person, so the outbreak will wane once contaminated product is gone.

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• Matthew Moore (University of Massachusetts Amherst) observed that case numbers appear to be declining as the contaminated batch has been fully withdrawn.

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Cyclospora infection causes watery diarrhea, fatigue, and cramping, with symptoms appearing 2–14 days after exposure and potentially lasting weeks. Healthy adults usually recover, but immunocompromised individuals, older adults, and those with chronic conditions face higher risks of severe dehydration and hospitalization. The outbreak highlights the importance of rapid traceback, product recalls, and clear public communication during food-borne illness events.

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State health dashboards sometimes report higher totals because they include probable cases and different reporting schedules. Michigan’s dashboard listed 14,510 cases, whereas the federal count remains at 11,458 laboratory-confirmed illnesses, reflecting variations in case definition and timing across jurisdictions.

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• “In terms of the risk to consumers now, if today for dinner you wanted to go out and eat a salad, you’re pretty safe from cyclospora at this point, as far as we know,” — Matthew Moore, associate professor of food science, UMass Amherst

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• “Assuming you do not come across any food with a known recall, yes, it is OK to eat such types of produce,” — Dr. Jennifer Layden

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Federal officials will declare the outbreak over only after several consecutive weeks with no new confirmed cases linked to the recalled lettuce. The FDA continues inspections of the Mexican growing operation, and the CDC expects to release another update within the coming week. Consumers with lingering summer gastrointestinal symptoms are advised to request specific Cyclospora testing, as the parasite is not included in routine stool panels.

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