Federal officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico, served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states, as a source of Cyclospora, the parasite causing a nationwide surge in illnesses. The affected states are Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. A traceback investigation by the CDC and FDA pointed to a single supplier in Mexico, reportedly Taylor Farms, as the source for Taco Bell locations where sick individuals reported eating.

Cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in 34 states, with the CDC documenting 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide, including 141 hospitalizations. However, state and local health departments report significantly higher numbers, encompassing probable cases. Michigan, particularly affected by the Taco Bell-linked outbreak, reported 5,002 cases and 102 hospitalizations as of July 17.

The FDA and CDC advise consumers to avoid iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell in the identified states. Shredded iceberg lettuce from grocery stores or other restaurants has not been implicated in this outbreak.