CDC closes record Cyclospora outbreak as FDA investigation continues

The CDC has closed a record multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce after 12,883 reported illnesses, 570 hospitalizations and two deaths in 21 states. In its final public alert on September 11, the agency said infections linked to the outbreak had declined significantly and that the recalled lettuce should no longer be available in stores or restaurants.

The public alert is over, but the federal investigation is not. The FDA is still examining how the contamination occurred, and samples collected during inspections in Mexico were awaiting laboratory analysis in the agency’s latest update.

Why the CDC ended the alert

The CDC said the best-by dates for the recalled products had passed and that the contaminated lettuce linked to the outbreak was no longer available. The agency also reported a sharp decline in recent illnesses: More than 1,000 infections occurred in a single day at the outbreak’s peak, while fewer than two infections per day occurred on average in August.

The CDC’s conclusion applies to the specific recalled source. It does not mean that every Cyclospora infection reported in 2026 was caused by Taylor Farms lettuce, or that officials have determined exactly how the contamination entered the food supply.

What product was recalled

Taylor Farms de Mexico began a voluntary recall on July 17 covering iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The recall included products distributed through retail and food-service channels, including packaged Marketside products sold at some Walmart stores and lettuce supplied to restaurants and other food-service customers.

Federal records list confirmed food-service distribution in multiple states, with possible further distribution to additional states. The recalled products had best-by dates that have now passed, and the FDA says it remains confident that lettuce tied to this specific outbreak is off the market.

What the FDA still does not know

The FDA has completed onsite inspections and sample collection at iceberg-lettuce growers and the processing facility in Mexico, working with Mexican officials. But samples from those inspections were still pending analysis, and the agency has not publicly identified the precise contamination route or root cause.

The FDA says its post-outbreak work includes continued coordination with Mexican public-health and agricultural officials, the CDC, states, industry, academic experts and other stakeholders. The agency is also working on prevention measures, incorporating lessons into its Cyclospora prevention plan and sending a letter to industry seeking cooperation across the supply chain.

That distinction is important: The CDC has closed the outbreak alert because the linked product is no longer considered a continuing source of risk, while the FDA’s investigation into how contamination occurred remains active. Officials have not concluded that a particular water, soil or sewage pathway caused this outbreak.

Broader U.S. case numbers remain high

Separate CDC surveillance counted 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States from May 1 through September 8, 2026. That total includes the lettuce-linked outbreak but also includes cases outside it and cases still requiring further classification.

The CDC reported 1,043 hospitalizations and two deaths in that broader surveillance group across 49 states and the District of Columbia. The figures are preliminary and may change because it can take about six weeks for case information to reach federal investigators. The true number of infections may also be higher because some people recover without medical care or are never tested.

What consumers should do now

Consumers do not need to discard ordinary iceberg lettuce solely because the outbreak alert ended. The specific recalled lettuce linked to this outbreak should no longer be available, but shoppers should continue checking active food-recall notices and follow routine produce-safety guidance.

The CDC advises washing hands and fresh produce under running water before eating, cutting or cooking. Washing alone cannot guarantee removal of Cyclospora; cooking produce to at least 158°F can kill the parasite.

Cyclospora can cause persistent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea and fatigue. Symptoms often begin about a week after exposure but can appear sooner or later. People with persistent symptoms should contact a health care provider and mention possible Cyclospora exposure, particularly if they recently ate shredded or processed iceberg lettuce.

The next major development will come from the FDA’s laboratory analysis and root-cause work. The outbreak has ended as a public alert, but the answer to how contaminated lettuce entered the supply chain remains unresolved.

Sources

• CDC outbreak alert
• FDA outbreak investigation
• Associated Press report

Look for updates to this story

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