Investigators trace nationwide diarrhea outbreak to lettuce and salad greens
Health officials tied the July cyclospora outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce, with 2,640 Michigan cases and 44 hospitalizations as Broward shoppers watch for warnings.
By July 13, Michigan had logged 2,640 cyclosporiasis cases and 44 hospitalizations in the lettuce-linked outbreak the CDC and FDA were tracking in July 2026. Broward County shoppers with bagged salads in the refrigerator were watching a nationwide diarrhea outbreak tied to lettuce and other salad greens, and if you have lettuce or mixed greens at home, check the package, pay attention to product alerts, and set aside anything that might match the outbreak while investigators keep tracing the source.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said July 13 that current results pointed to lettuce and other salad greens as a potential source, while other foods could not yet be ruled out. The outbreak had reached at least 31 states and then at least 34 states, and NBC News' tally put the CDC's count at nearly 7,000 confirmed or under-investigation cases nationwide.
The CDC is tracking a July 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce, and the FDA has a separate outbreak page for the five-state investigation. The FDA identified Taylor Farms as the likely source of lettuce contaminated with the parasite behind the outbreak. Taylor Farms was halting distribution of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico and supplied to Taco Bell restaurants, though Taylor Farms said no Taylor Farms branded salads or kits had been identified in the ongoing Cyclospora investigation.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. It can cause watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and increased gas, and the illness can be especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. If diarrhea is persistent, severe, or leaves you unable to stay hydrated, medical attention is warranted, especially after eating bagged salad or shredded lettuce.
Lettuce is a standard ingredient in supermarket salads, restaurant sandwiches, school lunches and senior dining rooms, and any federal hold or supplier change can move quickly through South Florida’s food supply chain. The investigation was still open as officials worked to narrow the contamination pathway.
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