Shredded Iceberg Lettuce Cyclospora Outbreak Spreads to 9 States

WHO:

ABC News - The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is involved in the outbreak response.

WHAT:

USA Today - The CDC reported that the outbreak has now been linked to nine states, with the states being Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

USA Today - The CDC noted that previously only five states were connected to the outbreak, with Michigan accounting for a high number of cases.

USA Today - The CDC reported that more than 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in the United States since May 1.

USA Today - The CDC stated that overall, cases have been reported in 41 states.

USA Today - The CDC's case numbers can lag by as much as six weeks behind those cited by state health officials due to tracking, verification, and reporting processes.

USA Today - The FDA clarified that a lettuce sample from Mexico tested positive for cyclospora on July 18, but Taylor Farms claimed the FDA had "apologized" for a "false positive" in a now-deleted social media post.

USA Today - A White House source stated that "Taylor Farms’ intentionally misleading statements... reflect how Taylor Farms is not working in good faith to restore Americans’ confidence and trust in our food supply."

USA Today - Mexican health authorities have stated that there has not yet been ample evidence to support the FDA's assertion that the outbreak originated over the border.

USA Today - The source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak is more difficult to track than foodborne illnesses due to a long incubation period and difficulty obtaining samples.

USA Today - The FDA clarified that the 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."

USA Today - A White House source stated that "Taylor Farms’ intentionally misleading statements, including their now-deleted X post that falsely claimed the FDA ‘apologized’ to them, is actively aggravating administration officials, and reflect how Taylor Farms is not working in good faith to restore Americans’ confidence and trust in our food supply."

CBS News US - The outbreak is described as the nation's largest.

USA Today - The CDC noted that previously only five states were connected to the outbreak, with Michigan accounting for a high number of cases.

USA Today - The CDC is still investigating other cyclosporiasis illnesses that are unrelated to this outbreak.

USA Today - The FDA has launched a traceback investigation for a smaller outbreak that has sickened at least 72 people, with the source not yet identified.

NBC News - Investigators are tying Cyclospora cases in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell.

USA Today - The CDC noted that the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, indicating that the true number of sick people is likely much higher than reported.

USA Today - The CDC noted that previously only five states were connected to the outbreak, with Michigan accounting for a high number of cases.

USA Today - The CDC reported that more than 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in the United States since May 1.

USA Today - The CDC stated that overall, cases have been reported in 41 states.

USA Today - The FDA has launched a traceback investigation for a smaller outbreak that has sickened at least 72 people, with the source not yet identified.

USA Today - The CDC reported more than 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in the United States since May 1.

USA Today - The CDC noted that the true number of sick people is likely much higher than reported, as many recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.

USA Today - The CDC's case numbers can lag by as much as six weeks behind those cited by state health officials due to tracking, verification, and reporting processes.

USA Today - The CDC noted that the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, indicating that the true number of sick people is likely much higher than reported.

USA Today - The CDC is still investigating other cyclosporiasis illnesses that are unrelated to this outbreak.

USA Today - The CDC reported that previously only five states were connected to the outbreak, with Michigan accounting for a high number of cases.

USA Today - The CDC noted that the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported, as many recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.

USA Today - The CDC's case numbers can lag by as much as six weeks behind those cited by state health officials due to tracking, verification, and reporting processes.

USA Today - The FDA has launched a traceback investigation for a smaller outbreak that has sickened at least 72 people, with the source not yet identified.

USA Today - The nine states affected by the cyclosporiasis outbreak are Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

USA Today - The CDC noted that the true number of sick people is likely much higher than reported, as many recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.

USA Today - The outbreak has left hundreds of Americans with a parasitic infection.

USA Today - The CDC reported more than 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in the United States since May 1.

USA Today - Overall, cases have been reported in 41 states.

USA Today - A smaller outbreak has sickened at least 72 people, with the source not yet identified.

ABC News - The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has expanded to nine states.

CBS News US - This outbreak is described as the nation's largest.

WHERE:

ABC News - The outbreak is affecting nine states across the country.

WHEN:

ABC News - The CDC expanded the outbreak to an additional four states on a Friday, though the specific date is not provided.

WHY:

CBS News US - The cause of the outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce.

HOW:

USA Today - The source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak is more difficult to track than foodborne illnesses due to a long incubation period and difficulty obtaining samples.

USA Today - Mexican health authorities have stated that there has not yet been ample evidence to support the FDA's assertion that the outbreak originated over the border.

USA Today - The source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak is more difficult to track than foodborne illnesses due to a long incubation period and difficulty obtaining samples.

USA Today - The FDA stated that a lettuce sample from Mexico tested positive for cyclospora on July 18, but Taylor Farms claimed the FDA had "apologized" for a "false positive" in a now-deleted social media post.

USA Today - The source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak is more difficult to track due to a long incubation period and difficulty obtaining samples.

ABC News - The CDC is monitoring and responding to the outbreak as it expands.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 15:16 UTC)

The CDC has reported that the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak is now linked to nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, with over 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cases since May 1. While Michigan has seen a particularly high number of cases, the FDA has clarified that a lettuce sample from Mexico tested positive for cyclospora, although Taylor Farms claimed the FDA had apologized for a false positive in a now-deleted post. A White House source criticized Taylor Farms for misleading statements, stating that their actions are undermining efforts to restore public confidence in the food supply.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 07:38 UTC)

The CDC has reported that the current outbreak of cyclosporiasis is the largest in the nation, now linked to nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, which has seen a particularly high number of cases. Meanwhile, the FDA is investigating a smaller outbreak that has affected at least 72 people, with a lettuce sample from Mexico testing positive for cyclospora, although Taylor Farms has claimed that the FDA issued an apology for a "false positive." In response, a White House source criticized Taylor Farms for their misleading statements, while Mexican health authorities have indicated that there is insufficient evidence to confirm that the outbreak originated in Mexico.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 06:39 UTC)

Investigators are linking Cyclospora cases in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell, with the CDC reporting that the outbreak has now spread to nine states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The agency has also indicated that the outbreak may extend beyond these states, suggesting that the actual number of sick individuals could be significantly higher than what has been reported. Tracking the source of this cyclosporiasis outbreak is particularly challenging due to its long incubation period and the difficulties in obtaining samples.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 05:50 UTC)

The CDC has reported that the outbreak of cyclosporiasis is now linked to nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, with over 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cases since May 1. Previously, only five states were connected to the outbreak, and Michigan has been noted for a particularly high number of cases. Meanwhile, the FDA has launched a traceback investigation into a smaller outbreak that has affected at least 72 people, and it was revealed that a lettuce sample from Mexico tested positive for cyclospora, although Taylor Farms has claimed the FDA issued an apology for a "false positive."

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 01:24 UTC)

The CDC has reported that a cyclosporiasis outbreak is now linked to nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Since May 1, there have been over 4,100 laboratory-confirmed cases in the United States, although the CDC cautions that the actual number of sick individuals is likely much higher, as many recover without medical care and are not tested. Tracking the source of this outbreak is particularly challenging due to the long incubation period and the difficulties in obtaining samples, and the CDC's case numbers can lag by as much as six weeks behind those reported by state health officials.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 00:17 UTC)

The CDC has reported that a cyclosporiasis outbreak is now linked to nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. They also indicated that the actual number of sick individuals may be much higher than the reported cases, as the outbreak could extend beyond these states. Additionally, the CDC is investigating other cyclosporiasis illnesses that are unrelated to this outbreak, noting that tracking the source of such outbreaks is challenging due to a long incubation period and the difficulty in obtaining samples.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 22:18 UTC)

The CDC has reported that previously only five states were linked to a Cyclospora outbreak, with Michigan showing a particularly high number of cases, although they believe the actual number of sick individuals is likely much higher due to many recovering without medical care. Meanwhile, the FDA has initiated a traceback investigation into a smaller outbreak that has affected at least 72 people, but the source remains unidentified, and they clarified that a false-positive lab sample does not impact their ongoing investigation or the data supporting a voluntary recall by Taylor Farms. A White House source criticized Taylor Farms for making intentionally misleading statements, suggesting that the company is not acting in good faith to restore public confidence in the food supply.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 20:20 UTC)

A cyclosporiasis outbreak has been reported across nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The CDC has indicated that the actual number of infections is likely much higher than the reported figures, as many individuals recover without seeking medical attention or being tested for Cyclospora. Meanwhile, the FDA confirmed that a lettuce sample from Mexico tested positive for cyclospora on July 18, but Taylor Farms has claimed the FDA apologized for a false positive, which the agency clarified does not alter the basis for their ongoing investigation or the data supporting the voluntary recall.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 19:27 UTC)

A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis has left hundreds of Americans with a parasitic infection, with the CDC reporting over 4,100 confirmed cases since May 1 across 41 states. Additionally, a smaller outbreak has affected at least 72 people, although the source of this particular incident has not yet been identified. Tracking the source of these outbreaks is challenging due to the long incubation period and the difficulty in obtaining samples.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 15:28 UTC)

The CDC is actively involved in responding to a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce, which has now expanded to nine states across the country. This outbreak is being described as the nation's largest, prompting the CDC to monitor the situation closely and respond as necessary. Recently, the agency expanded its response to include an additional four states, highlighting the growing concern surrounding this foodborne illness.