Michigan Health Officials Investigate Lettuce as Primary Source of Cyclospora
Federal and state health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, which has sickened over 4,000 people, with a potential link to Taco Bell and fresh produce. Michigan, the hardest-hit state, has identified leafy lettuce as a leading suspected source, prompting some restaurants to temporarily remove certain ingredients from their menus.
The Scope of the Cyclospora Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a likely epidemiological connection among cases of cyclosporiasis in at least four Midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. While the agency has confirmed cases in at least 34 states, the total number of illnesses has climbed past 4,000, with more than 140 people requiring hospitalization. The parasitic infection is not typically life-threatening, but without treatment, symptoms can linger for more than a month, including watery bowel movements, explosive diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
The infection is caused by a parasite that contaminates fresh produce and water, typically spread through fecal matter. According to the CDC’s reporting as of July 9, the agency had tallied over 840 cases, though state-level reports suggest the actual figures are significantly higher. In Michigan, which has seen cases skyrocket, health officials have identified over 1,500 cases, with 44 people hospitalized as of July 11, 2026. By Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Michigan reported more than 3,300 cases.
Taco Bell Removes Ingredients Following Traceback Analysis by the FDA
Taco Bell and the Investigation into Produce
Investigators are currently conducting a traceback analysis on several produce items, with leafy lettuce emerging as a primary focus. Don Prater, the FDA’s acting deputy commissioner for food, stated: “What I can say at this point is that we’re continuing our traceback investigation on multiple produce items, including the lettuce.”
Some Taco Bell locations in Michigan have proactively altered their operations. Notices in the Detroit area recently informed customers that the chain was “currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall.” However, the company has emphasized that this is a precautionary measure. Taco Bell Corp. stated: “The health and safety of our guests is our top priority. Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure.”
For more on this story, see Taco Bell removes fresh produce amid Cyclospora outbreak probe.
Dipisa’s Pizza and Chipotle Respond to Changing Food Safety Standards
Restaurant Responses and Industry Guidance
The outbreak has created a challenging environment for the restaurant industry, where consumers rely on third parties to handle and prepare produce safely. Bill Marler, a food safety lawyer, noted that the illness, which is not typically spread from person to person, can be debilitating: “It is not pleasant, and it can last for months.” He advised that consumers “have to be a bit more cautious and, frankly, paranoid” when dining out. USA TODAY reached out to the National Restaurant Association and several major national fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, Burger King, Subway, and Wendy’s, regarding their response plans, but none immediately returned requests for comment.
Different establishments are reacting with varying levels of caution. On July 10, Dipisa’s Pizza in Stevensville, Michigan, opted to pause serving lettuce, tomatoes, and onions entirely. Others, such as the Red B Restaurant in Idabel, Oklahoma, have implemented additional sanitization steps, such as soaking and washing produce again, even for pre-washed goods, according to a July 10 Facebook post.
Major national chains have remained largely quiet, though Laurie Schalow, chief corporate affairs and food safety officer for Chipotle, stated in an email on July 11: “We are aware of the cyclospora investigation and at this time, we don’t believe the ingredients we source are associated. We are monitoring the situation closely and evaluating any new information as it becomes available. The health and safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority.”
CDC Issues Health Alert for Prolonged Gastrointestinal Symptoms
What to Watch for Through August
Health officials warn that the number of confirmed cases could continue to rise through the end of August. Because Cyclospora is not typically included in routine gastrointestinal testing, the CDC has issued a national health alert, urging clinicians to specifically request testing for the parasite in patients suffering from prolonged diarrhea. While Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, noted that “early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” federal authorities maintain that no single grower or supplier has been definitively linked to the outbreak. Consumers are urged to follow standard food safety practices, including washing hands and produce thoroughly, as officials continue their broader review of multiple food items.
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