A large multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, now spanning 15 states, has been linked to lettuce, affecting numerous restaurant chains and grocery stores. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tallied over 6,000 cases, with nearly 300 hospitalizations and two reported deaths. Six additional states were recently added to the outbreak list after lab testing confirmed the presence of the same cyclospora parasite strain.

Attorney and food safety advocate Bill Marler noted that the current figures represent confirmed cases, with the actual number of illnesses potentially much higher. The CDC has initiated a Level 3 emergency response, actively monitoring the situation. Many affected individuals reported consuming lettuce, particularly shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to restaurants like Taco Bell.

Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico on July 17 and is reviewing its safety protocols. Taco Bell has also removed affected lettuce from some of its locations. While lettuce is a prime suspect, officials are not ruling out other potential sources for the widespread illnesses, as some sick individuals did not report eating lettuce. The CDC has identified over 22,700 domestic cyclosporiasis cases this season.