Cyclospora in Taco Bell Lettuce: What to Do in 5 States

If you ate shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, or West Virginia and you develop diarrhea—particularly if symptoms started in the two weeks after you ate it—contact your health care provider.

FDA also urges consumers to discard recalled iceberg lettuce immediately and to not eat recalled lettuce (including at any Taco Bell location). Because this is an ongoing investigation, follow FDA/CDC updates as more results come in.

Quick context: FDA/CDC are investigating a 5-state Taco Bell lettuce link

FDA and CDC say they are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. FDA notes this outbreak represents a subset of Cyclospora illnesses identified nationwide.

What to do right now (FDA actions)

Discard recalled iceberg lettuce. FDA recommends that consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods should discard it immediately and not consume it. FDA also notes that full refunds are available at the location of purchase.
Don’t eat recalled lettuce at Taco Bell (or elsewhere). FDA advises people not to eat recalled lettuce at any Taco Bell location or other restaurants. If you don’t know the source of the iceberg lettuce, FDA says to ask the restaurant.
If you have symptoms, contact your health care provider. FDA specifically emphasizes getting medical care—especially if you ate shredded iceberg lettuce in the two weeks before you got sick.
Clean and sanitize touched surfaces/containers. If you purchased or received recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, FDA advises carefully cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces or containers it touched, to reduce cross-contamination.

Symptoms and timing: what to watch for

Cyclospora infection typically causes diarrhea with frequent bowel movements. Other common symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting, body aches, headache, and fever. Some infections can also occur without symptoms.

Timing can help clinicians evaluate possible exposure:

Incubation period: CDC reports the incubation period among symptomatic people averages about one week (ranging as soon as 2 days and sometimes 2 weeks or more).
FDA exposure window: FDA highlights the two weeks leading up to symptom onset for people who ate the implicated shredded iceberg lettuce.

When to get urgent help: FDA notes that if cyclosporiasis is not treated, it can lead to dehydration and severe complications that may require higher levels of care. If you or a caregiver is seeing signs of significant dehydration (for example, inability to keep fluids down) or your symptoms are rapidly worsening, seek urgent/emergency care.

Testing reality check: why you may need to ask specifically

CDC cautions that Cyclospora testing is not routinely conducted in most U.S. laboratories. Clinicians may need to specifically request Cyclospora testing. CDC also notes:

Diagnosis can be difficult because patients may shed oocysts intermittently and in low levels.
A single negative stool sample may not rule out infection; clinicians may request several specimens collected on different days.
Some gastrointestinal (GI) panels may not include a Cyclospora test target.

What to tell your clinician: that you ate shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in the past two weeks (and the approximate date your symptoms started), so Cyclospora can be considered and appropriate testing can be arranged.

Treatment overview: TMP-SMX is commonly used

CDC states that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the treatment of choice for cyclosporiasis. For immunocompetent adults, CDC describes a typical regimen of:

TMP 160 mg plus SMX 800 mg (one double-strength tablet) by mouth, twice daily for 7–10 days.

CDC also notes that people living with HIV may need longer courses of therapy. Your clinician will determine the right plan for your situation, including medication allergies, kidney function, and other health factors.

What’s uncertain: the July 19 FDA update on lab results

FDA’s July 19, 2026 update reports that:

There are no confirmed positive sample results for Cyclospora product testing as of July 19.
FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed a previously reported positive sample and concluded it should be considered a false positive (the sample information was removed from the July 18 update).

In plain terms: the investigation is still evolving, and FDA updates may continue as additional product samples are collected and analyzed.

Where to follow updates

For the most current consumer instructions and investigation updates, check FDA’s Investigation of 5-State Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses: Iceberg Lettuce (July 2026) page and CDC’s Cyclosporiasis Surveillance updates.

Key sources

Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.