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News
The CDC and FDA have officially declared an end to the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history, traced to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms. The outbreak spanned 21 states, resulting in nearly 13,000 cases, 570 hospitalizations, and two deaths — a more than 16-fold increase over 2025. Health officials caution that Cyclospora risk from other sources remains.
After more than two months, federal health officials have officially closed the book on the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak ever recorded in the United States. The CDC and FDA confirmed the outbreak — traced to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico by Taylor Farms and initially linked to Taco Bell restaurants — is over, citing a sharp decline in new cases and cleared store shelves.
The actual toll, however, may be even higher than official figures suggest. Michigan alone reported over 14,700 cases and 366 hospitalizations — numbers that exceed the national CDC tally, pointing to potential gaps in surveillance and reporting.
Why it matters: This outbreak exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. foodborne illness surveillance system and raised questions about the impact of recent CDC restructuring on outbreak response. While this specific source is contained, officials stress that Cyclospora risk from other food sources persists through the end of the summer season.
