Walmart Pulls Iceberg Lettuce From Shelves In GA Amid Cyclospora Outbreak

Walmart stores in Georgia and several other states have yanked shredded iceberg lettuce from shelves amid an "exploding diarrhea" outbreak that has sickened nearly 1,700 people.

The FDA on Saturday revealed Walmart's Marketside bagged shredded lettuce was among multiple brands that may have been impacted by the Cyclospora diarrhea outbreak. Cyclospora is a parasitic intestinal illness.

"There have been no confirmed illnesses associated with these products at this time," Walmart said in a statement to CBS News. "We are working closely with our supplier and took immediate steps to remove the products from sale."

The affected Walmart products are as follows:

• 12-ounce and 24-ounce iceberg salad with best if used by dates of July 18-Aug. 3
• 8-ounce and 16-ounce shredded lettuce with best if used by dates of July 18-Aug. 3

Taylor Fresh Foods voluntarily recalled some of its products last week after federal officials said a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora, a bacteria linked to an illness that can cause relentless watery diarrhea. (See the full list of recalled products.)

However, the FDA on Sunday walked back the statement, saying the test was a "false positive."

"Due to the complexity in detection of Cyclospora, FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive," the agency said.

"FDA has notified Taylor Farms and continues working with the firm to ensure product implicated in this outbreak has been removed from the market. FDA and state partners continue to collect and analyze product samples. As of July 19, 2026, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora."

Despite the false positive, Taylor Farms (whose parent company is Taylor Fresh Foods in California) is still recalling its iceberg lettuce that was sourced from central Mexico.

Officials said Taylor Farms, which produces lettuce for Taco Bell and multiple grocery retailers, is "working with the firm to ensure product implicated in this outbreak has been removed from the market."

Georgia was one of 27 states to receive the affected lettuce, which was distributed on June 29, according to the FDA.

No deaths have been reported as of Monday, but 94 people have been hospitalized due to the illness.

As of July 13, 1,644 people have fallen ill in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Michigan has been hit the hardest with at least 1,100-1,200 cases, according to FDA data.

There were no cases reported in Georgia as of Monday afternoon.

If left untreated, Cyclospora can last from a few days to at least a month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"People infected with Cyclospora may or may not experience symptoms. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," the CDC said.

It can take anywhere from two days to at least two weeks for a person to become sick after contracting the illness, according to the CDC.

Preventative measures include avoiding eating food or drinking water that may be contaminated with feces and adhering to food-safety recommendations.

Customers who have bought the recalled lettuce are advised to immediately discard it or return it for a full refund, the CDC said.

Anyone with health concerns should contact their doctor, the CDC said.

Customers who have questions can call (855) 455-0098 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday-Friday.