Cyclospora outbreak dubbed "lettuce-gate" as health concerns spread across U.S.
Americans say they aren't convinced the cyclospora outbreak is under control as confirmed cases near 2,000.
Updated on: July 25, 2026 / 9:00 PM EDT / CBS News
As the cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce spread to nine states , Americans have dubbed the health concern "lettuce-gate" on social media, and they aren't convinced the situation is under control.
Days after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to calm growing concerns about the parasitic illness, saying that the source of the outbreak has been identified and companies involved have implemented a recall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced hundreds more have been infected with cyclospora — bringing the nationwide total to 1,947 as of Friday.
At least 98 hospitalizations have been reported, but no deaths have been reported, according to the CDC.
"Is anyone else, like, deathly afraid to eat lettuce right now?" one person asked in a video posted on TikTok.
Health officials believe the affected iceberg lettuce came from a Taylor Farms facility located in central Mexico.