What to know about the US cyclosporiasis outbreak

• Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico and shut down its processing plant there; recalled products were sold at Walmart, Sysco, and other distributors
• The FDA advises cooking produce to at least 158°F to kill the parasite, as it is resistant to routine chemical disinfection; 423 patients have been hospitalized
• Cyclosporiasis causes intestinal infection from consuming contaminated produce or water, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and requiring antibiotic treatment (Bactrim) for 7-10 days

Market Summary: U.S. Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Key Facts and Figures

The United States is experiencing one of its largest cyclosporiasis outbreaks in recent years, with 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases across 45 states and 423 hospitalizations as of August 3. Michigan reports over 11,000 cases, making it the hardest-hit state. The CDC expects thousands more cases, as confirmation can take up to six weeks. Two deaths have been reported in Michigan among patients with underlying health conditions.

Companies and Products Affected

Yum Brands (Taco Bell): The outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants across nine states (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania).

Taylor Farms: The produce supplier voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico and shut down its processing plant there. The recall extended to Marketside-branded products sold at Walmart and products distributed through Sysco and other companies.

Fresh produce sector: The outbreak has reportedly impacted consumer confidence in lettuce and other fresh produce, based on grocery store observations in Washington, D.C.

Market Implications

• The outbreak occurs during peak cyclosporiasis season (May 1-August 31)
• Taylor Farms has ceased sourcing iceberg lettuce from the affected Mexican region
• The incident highlights food safety vulnerabilities in fresh produce supply chains
• Consumer confidence in lettuce and fresh produce has reportedly slumped

Additional Context

The FDA initially reported positive parasite testing on Taylor Farms lettuce on July 18 but withdrew the finding the following day, though investigations continue pointing to the supplier. Cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics (Bactrim) but can persist for weeks untreated.