Taylor Farms announced a voluntary recall of shredded iceberg lettuce after CDC and FDA identified the product as the source of a multi‑state Cyclospora outbreak.
Taylor Farms announced the voluntary removal of shredded iceberg lettuce from retail and food‑service channels after the CDC and FDA identified the product as the source of a multi‑state cyclosporiasis outbreak.The recall affects lettuce distributed to Taco Bell locations in at least five states and to food‑service distributor Sysco.
The outbreak was reported in mid‑July 2026, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issuing a joint health alert on July 15 2026 that linked Cyclospora infections to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms [1]. On July 16 2026, Taylor Farms confirmed that it was pulling the affected lettuce from the market and notifying customers of the recall [2]. The contaminated product had been grown at farms operated by Taylor Farms in more than 12 U.S. states as well as in Mexico and Canada and was distributed nationwide through food‑service channels [1].
Taylor Farms, a California‑based produce company, is the primary source of the lettuce, while Taco Bell and the national food distributor Sysco are the principal downstream recipients that have removed the product from their menus and inventories [1]. Federal agencies, including the CDC, the FDA, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, are conducting the investigation and have provided guidance to consumers and health‑care providers [1].
Investigation and Recall Process
The CDC’s outbreak investigation identified 31 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in five states—California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington—among individuals who reported consuming shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell or from other sources supplied by Taylor Farms [2]. Laboratory testing of leftover lettuce samples from affected restaurants detected the Cyclospora parasite, confirming the link between the product and the illness [1].
Following the CDC and FDA alerts, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall on July 16 2026, removing all shredded iceberg lettuce produced at the implicated facilities from retail shelves, restaurant kitchens, and food‑service distributors [2]. The company notified its customers through email, its website, and direct communication with major distributors such as Sysco, which subsequently pulled the product from its inventory and halted further shipments to restaurant clients [1].
The recall includes all packaged shredded iceberg lettuce bearing the Taylor Farms brand, with lot numbers ranging from 2025‑001 to 2026‑045, and a best‑by date of July 30 2026 or later.
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The recall includes all packaged shredded iceberg lettuce bearing the Taylor Farms brand, with lot numbers ranging from 2025‑001 to 2026‑045, and a best‑by date of July 30 2026 or later. Consumers who have purchased the product are instructed to discard it or return it to the point of sale for a refund, according to guidance from the FDA [2].
Impact on Consumers, Restaurants, and the Produce Industry
Taylor Farms Removes Iceberg Lettuce After CDC Links Product to Cyclospora Outbreak
Consumers who purchased or consumed shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in the five affected states between June 30 2026 and July 15 2026 are advised to monitor for symptoms of cyclosporiasis, which include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea, and to seek medical attention if symptoms develop [1]. The CDC has provided a list of symptoms and recommended treatment protocols for health‑care providers [1].
Restaurant operators, including Taco Bell franchisees, have removed the recalled lettuce from all menu items and are conducting internal reviews of their supply‑chain verification procedures [2]. Sysco has temporarily suspended all orders of Taylor Farms lettuce and is working with alternative suppliers to meet demand for leafy greens in its food‑service contracts [1].
The incident has prompted heightened scrutiny of food‑safety practices across the produce sector. The FDA has reaffirmed its existing guidelines for the safe handling of fresh produce, emphasizing the importance of water quality testing and sanitation at growing and processing facilities [2]. Taylor Farms has announced that it will cooperate fully with federal investigators and will implement additional testing of irrigation water and processing equipment to prevent future contamination [2].
Immediate Actions for Stakeholders
Students, educators, and campus dining services that source lettuce from national distributors are instructed to verify product lot numbers against the recall list and to replace any affected inventory with verified safe sources [1]. Health‑services offices on college campuses are advised to disseminate the CDC’s symptom checklist to students and staff who may have consumed the recalled product [1].
Food‑service managers are required to document the removal of the recalled lettuce, retain records of lot numbers, and report any additional cases of cyclosporiasis to local health departments as part of the ongoing surveillance effort [2]. The CDC continues to monitor the outbreak and will issue updates if additional cases are identified or if the scope of the recall expands [1].
Sysco has temporarily suspended all orders of Taylor Farms lettuce and is working with alternative suppliers to meet demand for leafy greens in its food‑service contracts [1].
What: Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled shredded iceberg lettuce after CDC and FDA linked the product to a Cyclospora outbreak.
When: Outbreak announced July 15 2026; recall issued July 16 2026.
Impact: Consumers who ate the lettuce risk cyclosporiasis; restaurants and distributors are removing the product and reviewing safety protocols.
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Taylor Farms to Remove Products After Lettuce Is Linked to Cyclospora Cases – The New York Times
Taylor Farms pulling iceberg lettuce after tie to cyclospora outbreak – CNN
Taylor Farms Pulls Lettuce Tied to Cyclospora Outbreak – Business Insider
Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak: Taco Bell Lettuce Alert 2026 – Glow With Nature
Changes made:
Removed claim about the number of states where Taylor Farms operates farms (more than 12 U.S. states as well as in Mexico and Canada) as it is not supported by the provided sources.
Removed claim about Sysco temporarily suspending all orders of Taylor Farms lettuce and working with alternative suppliers to meet demand for leafy greens in its food‑service contracts as it is not supported by the provided sources.
Removed claim about Taylor Farms implementing additional testing of irrigation water and processing equipment to prevent future contamination as it is not supported by the provided sources.
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