Health officials are investigating lettuce from Taco Bell as a possible cause of a large food poisoning outbreak that has sickened at least 1,645 people and sent 145 to the hospital, according to the CDC.

The illness is called cyclosporiasis. It is caused by a tiny parasite — a microscopic organism that can get into food and water. When people eat contaminated food, the parasite infects their intestines, causing diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fatigue. Symptoms often do not show up for a week after eating the contaminated food, which makes it hard to figure out what made people sick.

News outlets first reported the lettuce connection on July 16, 2026. CNN said shredded iceberg lettuce from a company called Taylor Farms, sold at some Taco Bell restaurants, was connected to the outbreak. CBS News reported the lettuce may have come from Mexico (Guardian). Reuters also carried the story that afternoon, citing the Washington Post (Reuters). Taylor Farms did not respond to questions from the Guardian.

Taco Bell said it voluntarily removed the potentially affected lettuce from some states "out of an abundance of caution." The company said it is removing that ingredient from its supply chain nationwide and replacing it within 24 hours in select states. Taco Bell also said no official warning has been issued about the lettuce. As of 2026, Taylor Farms' recall page lists no active recalls for any of its products.

The CDC's outbreak page still lists the source as "unknown." This is normal in food poisoning investigations. News reports often reveal leads before health officials have finished the lab work and tracking needed to make an official announcement.

The outbreak is large. The CDC has confirmed 1,645 cases with 145 hospitalizations, and officials expect it to continue through August 2026. There are also 5,100 more cases waiting to be reviewed, which means the confirmed number will likely go up. Gwen Biggerstaff, a CDC deputy director, said the real number of infections is probably higher because many people with mild symptoms recover on their own without seeing a doctor or getting tested (Guardian).

Cases have been linked to Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Michigan officials said on July 13, 2026 that lettuce was a possible source. The Washington Post reported that week that officials were checking whether lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Michigan was connected (Washington Post). By July 14, the Washington Post reported that results pointed to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source.

CDC data shows people started getting sick between May 1 and July 8, 2026, with most getting sick around June 9. No deaths have been reported.

The broader context here is twofold. First, outbreaks of this parasite linked to fresh produce happen fairly often in the U.S. food system. The parasite is hard to trace because symptoms take so long to appear and the supply chain for leafy greens is complicated. With 5,100 cases still waiting to be reviewed, the picture will keep changing for weeks. Second, there is a political angle. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on July 16, 2026 that staff cuts at the CDC and FDA have not affected the government's response. That claim will be tested as the case count rises and the backlog clears, which could show whether having fewer staff has slowed down the investigation. The gap between that reassurance and the reality of 5,100 cases waiting for analysis is worth watching as the outbreak stretches into August.

Taylor Farms has not spoken publicly. No formal recall has been issued. The CDC still calls the source unknown. All of this means the investigation is not finished. The numbers already make this one of the larger cyclosporiasis outbreaks in recent years, and the backlog suggests the final count will be even higher.