Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Largest US Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Declared Over After Lettuce Recall
A parasite made many people sick after they ate contaminated iceberg lettuce.
The lettuce came from central Mexico and was supplied by Taylor Farms.
Health officials counted 12,883 sick people in 21 states.
About 570 people went to the hospital, and two people died.
Taylor Farms recalled the lettuce on July 17.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said infections later fell to fewer than two per day on average.
The Food and Drug Administration said the recalled lettuce should no longer be in stores or restaurants.
Officials are still testing samples to learn how the parasite entered the food supply.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 12,883 infections across 21 states, including 570 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Investigators linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms.
Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17.
The Food and Drug Administration said recalled lettuce has been removed, while its investigation into contamination continues.
Michigan officials reported more than 14,000 linked cases, a figure attributed partly to a backlog of reports, differing from the federal national total.
- Who
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, Taylor Farms, and people who consumed the contaminated lettuce were involved.
- What
- The United States declared its largest recorded multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak over after contaminated iceberg lettuce sickened thousands.
- When
- The recall began on July 17, and infections had fallen to fewer than two per day on average by August; the declaration date was not specified.
- Where
- The outbreak affected 21 US states and was linked to lettuce from central Mexico.
- Why
- Investigators linked the illnesses to contaminated iceberg lettuce, while the Food and Drug Administration continues investigating how the parasite entered the food supply.
- Reported infections
- 12,883 people across 21 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Hospitalizations and deaths
- The outbreak caused 570 hospitalizations and two deaths.
- Food linked to outbreak
- Iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms.
- Recall date
- Taylor Farms recalled the affected lettuce on July 17.
- Investigation status
- The Food and Drug Administration completed on-site inspections and collected samples in Mexico; analysis was pending.
- Reported decline
- By August, fewer than two infections per day were reported on average.
- Hardest-hit state
- Michigan officials reported more than 14,000 linked cases, partly because of a backlog of reports processed in August.