Have you been suspicious of your lettuce? Perhaps your TikTok feed is telling you to stop eating salad, or you’ve simply heard about an illness caused by contaminated produce from a friend. If you’ve been wondering what’s up with this lettuce-fueled frenzy, you’re in the right place. The U.S. is currently facing the largest outbreak of cyclosporiasis ever recorded.
So, what even is cyclosporiasis? The Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite causes cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness. It is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Symptoms typically occur anytime between two days and two weeks after first exposure. Some of the common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, cramping, bloating and weight loss. Rarer symptoms include body aches, vomiting, fever and flu-like symptoms. Many people can clear cyclosporiasis on their own, but some cases are treated with an antibiotic, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
In the U.S., we have an official ‘cyclosporiasis season,’ which occurs from May 1 to Aug. 31, annually. This season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 18,445 confirmed cases, 990 hospitalizations and two deaths. To put this number into perspective, only 1,180 cases were reported between May 1 and Aug. 31 in 2025.
This year, cases have been reported in 49 states, including Massachusetts. Additionally, the CDC notes that there are over 13,505 unconfirmed cases that require further investigation, indicating that many cases have gone unconfirmed or unreported.
The outbreak this year has been linked to packaged iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Farms de Mexico, sourced from central Mexico. There have been 11,458 cyclosporiasis cases attributed to this linkage, making up a major part of the outbreak. A wide variety of popular chain-brand restaurants use Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, including Taco Bell.
On July 24, the Food and Drug Administration reported that across nine states, 1,947 people infected with cyclospora reported a recent exposure to Taco Bell. However, the affected lettuce has been recalled. According to the FDA, the lettuce “should no longer be available in stores or restaurants,” as the best-by dates have passed on these products. Additionally, on July 17, Taco Bell stated they “completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce” from their restaurants.
To reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis, the CDC recommends avoiding recalled food, following food safety guidelines and practicing hygienic measures when handling produce. Additionally, cooking produce to 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius) and above kills the parasite, which reduces overall risk.
While the cyclosporiasis season officially ended on Aug. 31, total case counts are still being computed and investigated, as the CDC reports that “it can take about six weeks from the start of symptoms to when CDC receives the case information.” Therefore, keeping up to date with the news on the outbreak is another crucial step you can take to stay informed and safe.
