Cyclosporiasis outbreak possibly traced to lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell is being investigated as a possible source for a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people.
Updated on: July 16, 2026 / 7:15 PM EDT / CBS News
The source said a traceback investigation by the Food and Drug Administration identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico, Taylor Farms, that was used by Taco Bell locations in five states where people who contracted cyclosporiasis ate. The FDA is investigating, the source said.
Taylor Farms, based in Salinas, California, is a supplier to several major restaurant chains across the U.S. CBS News has reached out to Taylor Farms and Taco Bell for comment.
The outbreak, a diarrheal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora, was first reported in early May and has since spread to 34 states, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It has sickened at least 1,645 people, per CDC data, including at least 141 hospitalizations. There have been no reported fatalities so far.