Taco Bell lettuce linked to explosive diarrhea outbreak
Federal health officials say lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to an outbreak of stomach-distressing parasitic infections.
Federal health officials announced on July 18 that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora, noting that the lettuce was collected as part of an ongoing investigation and is not included in the company’s current recall.
The study raises questions about whether there are other types of lettuce that pose a potential risk.
In an update from the Food and Drug Administration, the agency announced that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce collected at Taylor Farms in Mexico recently tested positive for Cyclospora. This sample was not part of the lettuce that was recalled on July 17 due to the potential risk of Cyclospora.
The FDA said the contaminated samples were collected through targeted import surveillance conducted as part of the FDA’s investigation. The agency said Taylor Farms has confirmed that the positive samples are not subject to the company’s current voluntary recall.
The FDA said the company is “currently working to determine whether some of this related lot is available in commercial or consumer homes,” and that the positive lot has been detained while the investigation continues.
This latest development comes a day after Mexico’s Taylor Farms announced it would voluntarily withdraw all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market following an FDA follow-up investigation. The agency said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
FDA traceback identifies Taylor Farms supplier
On Friday, the FDA announced that a follow-up investigation identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as a common supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants where infected customers reported eating them before becoming ill.
The Guanajuato, Mexico-based company announced it would voluntarily withdraw all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the U.S. market. The FDA said Taylor Fresh Foods also recalled some 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 before” dates from July 18, 2026 to August 3, 2026. Customers are advised to discard the product without eating it or return it for a refund.
Taco Bell and Walmart remove affected lettuce
Taco Bell announced Friday that it has removed all lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its restaurants after federal authorities said shredded iceberg lettuce served at stores in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia was linked to the outbreak.
Walmart also removed some Marketside Iceberg Lettuce products from stores in 27 states as a precaution, saying customer safety remains its top priority, although there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with retail products.
Taylor Farms said its Taylor Farms-branded salad kits and packaged salads are not linked to the outbreak and that it acted on information from the FDA.
Cyclospora outbreak spans dozens of states
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestinal tract and causes prolonged diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Federal officials 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 its testing agency continues to investigate whether products from lots that tested positive reached consumers. In the meantime, the agency urged consumers and businesses to follow recall guidance and avoid eating recalled lettuce products.
Contributed by Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT.
