Parasitic Outbreak Linked To CA Farm In New Report

Shredded iceberg lettuce sold from a California supplier was pinned as a possible source of the parasite, according to The Washington Post.

By Miranda Ceja, Patch Staff

Jul 16, 2026 6:38 pm PDT | Updated Jul 16, 2026 6:50 pm PDT

A California lettuce supplier could be the culprit in the outbreak of a parasitic illness that has sickened thousands in the United States, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

Investigators identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by Taylor Farms in Salinas as the possible source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak, two anonymous individuals familiar with the investigation told The Washington Post.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had announced previously that they were investigating Taco Bell restaurants as a potential source of the outbreak earlier this week.

"The signal we have gotten is that there is a very high percentage of people who got sick at Taco Bell, and when investigators asked what their menu items were in common, lettuce came up frequently," one of the anonymous individuals told The Washington Post.

According to the report, the contaminated lettuce was supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell stores in Michigan and in three other states.

Taylor Farms, an Salinas-based manufacturer, describes itself as one of the leading global products of salads and healthy fresh foods, according to its website.

The company has production facilities across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Western Europe.

In 2024, Taylor Farms made headlines as a potential source of an E. coli outbreak found in slivered onions sold at McDonald's restaurants across the country.

Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the intestines and causes watery diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps, according to the department, which added it is often contracted by ingesting contaminated food or beverages.

Cases have been reported in 34 states, including California this year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of July 16, there were a total of 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with a total of 34 states reporting cases.

In addition, the CDC is "aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis."

According to The Washington Post, this summer's outbreak of cyclosporiasis has been concentrated largely in southeastern Michigan, where more than 4,300 cases have been reported and at least 100 people have been hospitalized as of Thursday.

A number of Taco Bell locations have posted signs announcing they are "currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall," according to Detroit-area news radio outlet WWJ.

Earlier in the week, Taco Bell told the Post it would keep monitoring the situation, follow authorities' guidance, and voluntarily remove ingredients from their menu as a precaution.

"The health and safety of our guests is our top priority," the company told the Post on Tuesday. "While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure."

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