Which specific ingredient and supplier were identified as the source of the cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell?

Federal health officials identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia as the source of the cyclospora outbreak; the FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single supplier — a specific independent farm affiliated with Taylor Fresh Foods of Salinas, California — and Taco Bell committed to stop using lettuce from that supplier.

What actions have Taco Bell and Taylor Fresh Foods taken in response to the outbreak?

Taco Bell voluntarily removed potentially impacted lettuce from the supplier in select states, indefinitely removed the affected ingredient from its nationwide supply chain, and replaced it within 24 hours in select states; Taylor Fresh Foods announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and stated it is cooperating with the FDA to determine if potentially contaminated product remains on the market.

Taco Bell Lettuce Confirmed Source of Cyclospora Outbreak Across Five U.S. States

Jul 18, 2026

Federal officials identified Taco Bell lettuce from a Mexican supplier as the source of a massive cyclospora outbreak affecting over 5,000 people in Michigan. Taco Bell removed the ingredient nationwide while Taylor Farms voluntarily withdrew affected produce.

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