The FDA and CDC are investigating Taco Bell's lettuce supplier as consumers in four states are urged to avoid cut lettuce.
A sample of frozen iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora, health officials said, as the company expanded a multi-state recall related to the growing outbreak.
The US Food and Drug Administration said the contaminated sample was collected through targeted surveillance of imports and was not part of the current Taylor Farms recall. The agency said the facility has been cordoned off and the California-based producer is working to determine if any of the affected lettuce remains in commercial or consumer homes.
The positive test result comes after Taylor Farms announced it is voluntarily recalling iceberg lettuce harvested in central Mexico, while removing all such lettuce from the U.S. market, due to Cyclospora contamination.
“We are fully removing the affected products,” Taylor Farms said in its recall notice. “The company has stopped sourcing product from the affected area, suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we continue to cooperate with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.”
TAYLOR FARMES PREPARING FOR RECALL, DENIES ALLEGED REMAINS CONTINUE
Packages of Taylor Farms salad greens are displayed at a Safeway store in Kings Beach, California, on July 16, 2026. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images)
The recall includes 12-ounce bags and 24 bags of Marketside iceberg lettuce, and 8-ounce and 16-ounce bags of Marketside's shredded iceberg lettuce distributed between June 29 and July 16 with “best by” dates from July 18 to Aug. 3, according to the FDA. The recall includes many products distributed to food service customers.
The affected lettuce was distributed in 27 states. The recall follows the FDA's announcement Thursday that Taco Bell will stop using lettuce from a supplier linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has sickened 1,644 people and hospitalized 94 in five states. No deaths were reported.
Taco Bell said it has voluntarily recalled potentially affected lettuce from a supplier in certain states where illnesses have been reported.
OHIO MAN WANTS TACO BELL FRANCHISEE, SAYS CYCLOSPORA CONTAMINATION LEFT HIM SICK FOR 2 WEEKS
The FDA said Taco Bell will stop using lettuce from a supplier linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak. (Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Taylor Farms previously said its salad products were not linked to the outbreak.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Friday, the company also revealed that none of its salad kits were affected and said it voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce found in its operations at Taylor Farms de Mexico after receiving information from the FDA.
The FDA said its investigation is tracking Taylor Farms de Mexico as a supplier of iceberg lettuce that was used at Taco Bell restaurants that infected customers reported eating before becoming ill. The agency said that not all Taco Bell restaurants in the five states receive lettuce from a supplier.
FDA SAYS TACO BELL HAS STOPPED USING LETTUCE DISH LINKED TO MULUTISTATE PARASITE BREAK
Packages of Taylor Farms salad greens are displayed at a Safeway store in Kings Beach, California, on July 16, 2026. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images)
The agency is investigating the outbreaks in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, and has advised consumers in those states not to eat the shredded Mexican iceberg lettuce used in Taco Bell restaurants.
According to the FDA, Cyclospora is a small parasite that can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, fatigue and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
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The agency urged anyone who bought the recalled lettuce to dispose of it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
FOX Business' Brittany Miller contributed to this report.
