US officials tie cyclospora outbreak involving iceberg lettuce to 3 states

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Federal health officials have confirmed that an outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from a farm in central Mexico has now affected 11,458 people across 20 states. This outbreak is the largest ever recorded in the U.S., prompting ongoing inspections and warnings for consumers to avoid the contaminated lettuce to prevent further illness.

Federal health officials have confirmed that an outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has now affected individuals in 20 states, including recent additions of Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. The total number of reported cases has risen to 11,458, up from approximately 10,900 last week, marking the largest recorded cyclospora outbreak in the United States.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments, has traced the source of the outbreak to iceberg lettuce grown at a farm in central Mexico operated by Taylor Farms, a major supplier to U.S. markets. FDA officials continue to inspect and test produce at the farm in cooperation with Mexican authorities, aiming to contain the contamination. The agency stated it is confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak has been removed from store shelves.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestines and is known to cause cyclosporiasis, an illness characterized by watery diarrhea and frequent, sometimes severe, bowel movements. The parasite thrives in warm conditions and typically triggers outbreaks in late spring through summer months. It is transmitted through fecal contamination, often via food or water, but many cyclospora cases in the U.S. have no identifiable source, making this outbreak notable for its established link to a specific product.

This year’s outbreak has been particularly severe; the CDC reported a total of about 29,000 confirmed or suspected cases nationwide, with 922 hospitalizations attributed to cyclospora infection. This surpasses the previous U.S. record of roughly 4,700 cases in 2019, highlighting the increased public health impact of this parasite.

Health officials continue to advise consumers to avoid consuming iceberg lettuce from the affected farm and to adhere to proper food safety practices. Investigations remain ongoing as agencies work to monitor the situation and prevent further illness.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.