FDA Investigates New Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

The FDA stated on Wednesday that it is currently looking into a new outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with at least 72 reported cases so far.

While the source remains unclear at the moment, the Food and Drug Administration shared that they are actively investigating the situation.

Cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection linked to the Cyclospora parasite, have surged to 11,500 individuals across 41 states, with over 4,000 being confirmed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This year alone, there have already been six cases recorded, which is three times the total from last year. To put things in perspective, fewer than 150 people were affected by the parasite within that timeframe in 2022.

Earlier in the week, the CDC noted a potential connection between cases appearing in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. In Michigan, the situation is particularly concerning: 7,171 instances of cyclosporiasis have been reported in 2026 alone, with 600 new cases emerging just since Tuesday.

The initial theory was that the outbreak was linked to lettuce supplied by Taco Bell’s supplier, Taylor Farms. However, the FDA revealed over the weekend that previous test results indicating this link were false positives. Still, they suggested that the outbreak likely originated from a supplier in Mexico.

In response to the situation, Taylor Farms has issued a recall for potentially contaminated iceberg lettuce that was distributed to 27 states and sold in grocery stores as well as Taco Bell locations.

Food safety experts emphasize that cyclosporosis can lead to symptoms such as watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Interestingly, some individuals may not show any symptoms even if they have been infected.

The situation has caused concerns in the market, leading to drops in stock prices for Taco Bell’s parent company, Yum! Brands, along with Sweetgreen and Chipotle.