Federal health regulators have concluded their investigation into a Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico, finding environmental evidence of the parasite at growing and processing sites after 12,883 people fell ill.
The Food and Drug Administration announced the formal close of its traceback inquiry after environmental testing recovered positive samples tied to the international supply chain. The foodborne illness event ranks among the largest in recent U.S. history, ultimately resulting in hundreds of hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan among individuals with significant underlying health conditions.
Testing Confirms Parasite Presence at Facilities
During onsite inspections conducted in Mexico alongside local officials, the agency collected water, soil, sediment, and iceberg lettuce samples. Two distinct samples tested positive for Cyclospora, according to findings revealed by regulators. One positive sample came from a tank holding outgoing wastewater at the Taylor Farms de Mexico processing facility, while the second was pulled from a drainage ditch at an independent iceberg lettuce farm.
The outbreak initially surfaced in July when patrons of Taco Bell restaurants fell ill after consuming menu items containing shredded iceberg lettuce sourced through Taylor Fresh Foods. The discovery prompted Taylor Farms de Mexico to execute a voluntary recall, pulling all iceberg lettuce harvested from central Mexico from U.S. distribution.
During the summer, 12,883 individuals fell ill following a widespread wave of Cyclospora infections traced back to iceberg lettuce originating from this facility. The CDC counted 570 hospitalizations and two deaths in the outbreak. As of July 17, Taylor Farms launched a recall that covers Walmart’s Marketside items, specifically Iceberg Salad 12-oz or 24-oz
and Shredded Lettuce 8-oz or 16-oz
featuring respective Best if Used By periods spanning 7/18/2026 to 8/3/2026 alongside July 18 to Aug 3, 2026. Taco Bell reported that it stopped sourcing lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico starting July 17, 2026. Shipments of the recalled Taylor Fresh Foods iceberg lettuce sent out between June 29th and July 16th reached AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV.
Data Strengthens Federal Conclusions
Although completed genotyping of the positive environmental samples required ongoing analysis to connect specific results with clinical patient specimens, federal officials emphasized that the data strengthened their conclusions. The agency stated that the environmental findings reinforced thorough epidemiological tracking.
Parent company Taylor Fresh Foods addressed the regulatory findings through a corporate spokesperson, noting that the central Mexico facility remained closed while teams worked on enhanced safety protocols. The company also confirmed adjustments to its agricultural network.
Outbreak Declared Over in September
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared the outbreak over on September 11, and regulatory authorities express confidence that all contaminated, recalled products have been cleared from the domestic marketplace. Cyclospora remains a persistent single-celled parasite capable of causing severe gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and weight loss, though some exposed individuals experience no symptoms at all.