The CDC reports at least 10,390 laboratory-confirmed cases linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de México, while Michigan alone has recorded over 14,000 cases.
Two people have reportedly died, both having significant underlying health conditions.
There is a subcluster of this outbreak that has been tied to shredded iceberg lettuce that came from central Mexico. The company Taylor Farms has recalled 236,192 cases of iceberg lettuce and salad mixes that were sold in 27 states. Taco Bell has already taken this product out of its restaurants.
But things are not as simple. In fact, on July 18, the FDA reported a positive Cyclospora test result, which was then reclassified as a false positive the very next day. It is important to note that there are no positive tests in any products of Cyclospora in this outbreak investigation.
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has raised concerns about potential contamination sources beyond food, citing documented municipal sewage overflows in the Detroit/ Toledo region. Cyclospora, a waterborne parasite, needs 7-15 days outside the host to become infectious, making person-to-person transmission unlikely.
The symptoms include severe watery diarrhoea, fatigue, and loss of appetite, usually appearing within a week of exposure. Health authorities recommend that people experiencing these symptoms conduct tests.
Although regular chlorination cannot kill the organism, cooking food at 158°F will effectively destroy it. The investigation is ongoing as health authorities strive to uncover more sources aside from the lettuce cluster.
2026-08-22 20:09:00
