Outbreak Summary
The Cyclospora Attorneys at OFT Law are actively investigating a massive, rapidly expanding multistate Cyclospora outbreak that has now been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell restaurants.
UPDATE: USDA has now confirmed that the outbreak has been traced to a single Taco Bell supplier: Taylor Farms de Mexico.
7/24/2026 UPDATE: FDA and CDC have now expanded the outbreak to cover nine states stretching from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania. We expect cases in several more states will be added as the CDC works through the backlog of positive tests.
8/5/2026 UPDATE: Unsurprisingly, the outbreak has further expanded. It is now confirmed that Taco Bell locations in 15 states have made people sick with cyclosporiasis.
OFT Lawyers have represented hundreds of people sickened during Cyclospora outbreaks, and we have recovered millions of dollars on their behalf. If you or a loved one became ill with a Cyclospora infection (cyclosporiasis) after eating at Taco Bell you may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
More Details
This summer’s Cyclospora outbreak has exploded, particularly in the Midwest. Southeastern Michigan has been hit hardest, with over 4,300 cases reported and at least 100 hospitalizations in that region alone.
While the CDC has officially logged 6,358 laboratory-confirmed cases in 15 states, many thousands of additional illness reports. Food safety experts estimate the true illness count may already exceed 100,000. At least 278 have been hospitalized, and two people have tragically died from complications of cyclosporiasis.
Public health investigators from the CDC and FDA have focused heavily on a regional cluster spanning fifteen states:
We expect the number of states involved will only continue to grow.
According to federal officials familiar with the traceback investigation, the cases in this fifteen-state cluster have been definitively linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served by Taco Bell restaurants. The contaminated lettuce was processed and supplied by Taylor Farms, a major producer of commercial salads and fresh produce.
In response to the growing health crisis, select Taco Bell locations in the affected states voluntarily removed several fresh ingredients from their menus, including:
Shredded Lettuce
Cilantro-Onion Mix
Pico de Gallo
Guacamole
There has been some confusion over a supposed “false positive” for Cyclospora in a bag of Taylor Farms shredded lettuce. But the validity of that test has absolutely nothing to do with the massive outbreak linked to Taco Bell. From the FDA:
On July 19, 2026, FDA provided an update about a false positive sample collected at the border. To clarify, this false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for FDA’s ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms. FDA’s traceback investigation and outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms from growers in central Mexico. We encourage the public to continue to avoid all products listed in Taylor Farms’ voluntary recall.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic, single-celled parasite that infects the small intestine. Unlike typical bacterial food poisoning, Cyclospora symptoms can take one to two weeks to appear after eating contaminated food.
The most common symptoms include:
Frequent, watery, and sometimes explosive diarrhea
Extreme fatigue and exhaustion
Severe abdominal cramps, bloating, and gas
Loss of appetite and rapid weight loss
Nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever
If left untreated, cyclosporiasis symptoms can persist for weeks, or even months, sometimes disappearing only to return weeks later. A specialized stool test is required to diagnose a Cyclospora infection.
When commercial agricultural giants like Taylor Farms or massive fast-food chains like Taco Bell distribute contaminated food, they are legally liable for the resulting injuries.
OFT Law has recovered millions of dollars for victims of Cyclospora and other foodborne pathogens. Our legal team is already preparing lawsuits to hold the responsible parties accountable and to secure compensation for:
Medical Expenses: ER visits, diagnostic stool tests, prescriptions, and follow-up clinical care.
Lost Income: Wages lost due to prolonged illness, fatigue, and missed work.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical agony and severe disruption to your life.
If you ate at a Taco Bell in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, or West Virginia and experienced severe, prolonged diarrhea:
See a Doctor: Ask specifically for a Cyclospora stool test.
Keep Records: Save your receipts, order history on the Taco Bell app, and medical discharge paperwork.
Contact OFT Law: Speak with a dedicated food poisoning attorney who can protect your rights.
We handle all food safety cases on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers is a national law firm that focuses on food safety and protection of those who have been infected. We have experience with all types of outbreaks, including Cyclospora. We offer free consultations to anybody potentially impacted by a food poisoning outbreak.
Call us today at 888-828-7087 or use our fill out the contact form above.