Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A massive cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has left two people dead and over 11,000 sickened across at least 20 states. The gastrointestinal infection is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, with this current outbreak traced back to Taylor Farms and specific growers based in Mexico. Nearly 500 people have been hospitalized as a result of the contaminated produce. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the contaminated lettuce should no longer be available on grocery store shelves or in restaurants. While health officials urge consumers not to be afraid of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, they warn that standard washing with water is not enough to kill the Cyclospora parasite. Experts recommend thoroughly checking your kitchen for any specifically recalled products and asking restaurant servers about the source of their lettuce when dining out.
A massive cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce has left two people dead and over 11,000 sickened across at least 20 states. The gastrointestinal infection is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, with this current outbreak traced back to Taylor Farms and specific growers based in Mexico. Nearly 500 people have been hospitalized as a result of the contaminated produce. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the contaminated lettuce should no longer be available on grocery store shelves or in restaurants. While health officials urge consumers not to be afraid of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, they warn that standard washing with water is not enough to kill the Cyclospora parasite. Experts recommend thoroughly checking your kitchen for any specifically recalled products and asking restaurant servers about the source of their lettuce when dining out.
