*** UPDATE: As of July 21, 2026 ***
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that a test linking Taylor Farms’ products to the cyclosporiasis outbreak provided a false positive result. However, the FDA also issued a statement clarifying that “this false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for FDA’s ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms.” The agency states that its “traceback investigation and outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico.”
*** UPDATE: As of July 17, 2026 ***
Public health authorities have now identified products from Taylor Farms, a fresh produce company, as the likely culprit behind the cyclosporiasis outbreak that has led to thousands falling sick across the country. According to news reports from the Washington Post, Reuters, and others, Taylor Farms has recalled lettuce sold to its many customers including national fast-food chain Taco Bell, Sysco (which widely distributes food products to hospitals, ballparks, restaurants, and more), and others.
As of July 16, a total of 5,100 people suffering from cyclosporiasis infection being reported. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC confirmed 1,645 domestic cases of the infection, with 141 people hospitalized. The CDC expects these numbers to grow through August.
At this time, the CDC is saying to avoid products at Taco Bell and other known Taylor Farms customers which contain shredded iceberg lettuce. Taco Bell said it has “taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states. The affected ingredient from our suppler is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.”
This is a developing story that Dreyer Boyajian LLP will continue to monitor.
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A serious outbreak of cyclosporiasis (an intestinal foodborne illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis) has so far sickened nearly 3,000 people nationwide, including hundreds of New Yorkers. Cyclosporiasis is typically contracted by consuming fresh produce or water contaminated with fecal matter. Symptoms can include serious diarrhea, with severe cases requiring hospitalization.
Taylor Farms has voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce and shredded iceberg lettuce sold at locations across the country from June 29 – July 16, 2026, including under the Marketside brand distributed through Wal-Mart. A complete list of recalled products is available online.
When serious harm results from food borne illnesses, such as hospitalization, it may indicate failures in the manufacturing, distribution or supply-chain process. Victims may have rights to compensation, including medical costs, lost income, pain & suffering, or wrongful death claims.
A law firm experienced in foodborne illness and product-liability cases like Dreyer Boyajian LLP can:
At Dreyer Boyajian LLP, our team has experience in large-scale food-contamination, product-liability and mass-tort litigation. We understand how to deploy expert witnesses (microbiology, epidemiology, food-safety engineering) to prove the science of foodborne and waterborne illnesses. Dreyer Boyajian’s attorneys focus on clients with serious injuries, ensuring their stories and needs are heard. We work to maximize compensation and justice, allowing our clients to focus on recovery.
If you or a loved one used a recalled product linked to this outbreak and experienced illness, especially if you are in a high-risk group or suffered significant harm, please contact Dreyer Boyajian LLP for a free consultation.
