CDC Linked Taco Bell’s Cyclospora Outbreak to a Lettuce Supplier. More Than 1,600 People Have Been Affected.

Federal health officials have identified a single lettuce supplier as the source of the shredded iceberg lettuce linked to a multistate cyclospora outbreak associated with Taco Bell restaurants, according to a new report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the contaminated lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia has been traced to a single supplier.

Although the FDA has not officially identified the company, multiple media outlets, citing officials familiar with the investigation, reported that the supplier is California-based Taylor Farms, one of North America's largest fresh produce processors.

The outbreak involves Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness characterized by prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Symptoms typically begin about a week after consuming contaminated food or water and, without treatment, can persist for weeks or even months.

According to federal investigators, Taco Bell has voluntarily stopped using lettuce supplied by the implicated source and has begun replacing the ingredient throughout its restaurants. The company said the action was taken out of an abundance of caution while the investigation continues.

The CDC has confirmed 1,644 illnesses linked to the outbreak, including 94 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. Health officials have also identified thousands of additional suspected cases nationwide that remain under investigation, making this one of the largest documented cyclospora outbreaks in U.S. history.

Investigators believe the contaminated lettuce originated in Mexico before entering the U.S. food supply. The FDA is working with the supplier to determine how the contamination occurred and is conducting product testing and trace-back analyses to determine whether other food products or restaurants may also have been affected.

Because fresh lettuce has a relatively short shelf life, the contaminated product is likely no longer being served. However, officials caution that new illnesses may continue to emerge because the parasite's incubation period can last up to two weeks, and many infections are diagnosed days after symptoms begin.

Cyclospora infections cannot be transmitted directly from person to person in most circumstances. Instead, people typically become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. The illness is usually treated with the antibiotic combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, though alternative treatments may be considered for patients with allergies to sulfa drugs.

The investigation has renewed attention on Taylor Farms, which has previously been linked to several foodborne illness investigations involving leafy greens, including past cyclospora and E. coli outbreaks. However, being named during an investigation does not establish wrongdoing.

Federal officials continue to recommend that consumers experiencing prolonged diarrhea after eating fresh produce or dining at affected Taco Bell locations seek medical attention, particularly if symptoms become severe or result in dehydration. Healthcare providers may order specialized laboratory testing because Cyclospora is not always detected through routine stool examinations.

The CDC and FDA said the investigation remains active as they work to determine whether additional restaurants, retailers or products supplied through the same distribution network contributed to the broader outbreak. Officials said further updates will be provided as additional laboratory testing and supply chain analyses are completed.