OAN Staff Sophia Flores
5:50 PM – Thursday, July 16, 2026
According to an investigative report, shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and sold at some Taco Bell restaurants is being investigated as a possible source of the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
On Thursday, reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CNN and The Washington Post identified Taylor Farms as the lettuce supplier under investigation in connection with the 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases. The company supplied shredded lettuce to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. However, health officials believe the actual number of people affected is likely much higher, with Michigan alone reporting over 4,300 cases.
“The signal we have gotten is that there is a very high percentage of people who got sick at Taco Bell, and when investigators asked what their menu items were in common, lettuce came up frequently,” an individual revealed to The Washington Post.
This revelation comes days after the fast food restaurant revealed that it was removing ingredients from its menu as a precaution from some locations.
“While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure,” Taco Bell Corp. said in a statement. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities.”
Cyclosporiasis is spread by consuming contaminated food and water. In the past, outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include watery diarrhea, cramping, bloating and fatigue that can last for weeks.
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