Largest US cyclospora outbreak declared over after 12,000 cases

Federal health officials have declared the largest recorded outbreak of cyclospora in the United States over, concluding a months-long investigation that sickened more than 12,000 people across 21 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration announced the end of the outbreak on September 11, 2026, after confirming that new cases had stopped emerging and all contaminated products were no longer available. The outbreak, which began in the spring, was ultimately linked to iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Farms de Mexico. It resulted in at least 570 hospitalizations and two deaths, both in Michigan. The CDC reported that at the height of the outbreak, more than 1,000 cases were reported in a single day. Investigators initially traced illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in several states before the scope expanded nationally. In mid-July, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The recalled products were distributed to retailers and restaurant chains across 27 states.