A sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico has tested positive for cyclospora, federal health officials said July 18, noting that the lettuce was collected as part of an ongoing investigation and is not included in the company’s current recall.
The investigation has raised questions about whether there is more lettuce posing potential risk.
In the latest update from the Food and Drug Administration, the agency said a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico recently tested positive for cyclospora. The sample was not part of the lettuce recalled July 17 for potential risk of cyclospora.
The FDA said the contaminated sample was collected through targeted import surveillance conducted as part of the agency’s probe. The agency said Taylor Farms confirmed the positive sample is not part of the company’s current voluntary recall.
The company is “currently working to identify whether any part of this implicated lot is available in commerce or in consumers homes,” according to the FDA, which said the positive lot is being detained while the investigation continues.
The latest development comes one day after Taylor Farms de Mexico announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced in central Mexico from the U.S. market following the FDA’s traceback investigation. The agency said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
FDA Traceback Identified Taylor Farms Supplier
On Friday, the FDA said its traceback investigation identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the common supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants, where infected customers reported eating before becoming ill.
The company, based in Guanajuato, Mexico, announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. marketplace. The FDA said Taylor Fresh Foods also recalled certain Marketside-brand bagged lettuce products sold at Walmart.
The recalled Walmart products include 12-ounce and 24-ounce Marketside Iceberg Salad bags and 8-ounce and 16-ounce Marketside Shredded Lettuce with “Best if Used By” dates ranging from July 18 through Aug. 3, 2026. Customers are advised not to eat the products and should discard them or return them for a refund.
Taco Bell, Walmart Removed Affected Lettuce
Taco Bell said Friday it had removed all lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its restaurants after federal officials linked shredded iceberg lettuce served at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia to the outbreak.
Walmart also removed select Marketside iceberg lettuce products from stores in 27 states as a precaution, saying there had been no confirmed illnesses tied to the retail products but that customer safety remained its top priority.
Taylor Farms has said no Taylor Farms branded salad kits or packaged salads are associated with the outbreak and that it acted after receiving information from the FDA.
Cyclospora Outbreak Spans Dozens of States
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestinal tract and can cause prolonged diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Federal officials have said the outbreak has sickened people in 34 states. In Michigan alone, more than 5,000 cases and 102 hospitalizations had been reported as of July 16, according to state health officials.
The FDA said investigators are continuing to determine whether any products from the laboratory-confirmed positive lot reached consumers. In the meantime, the agency urged consumers and businesses to follow recall guidance and avoid eating recalled lettuce products.
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY.
