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Fri, Jul 17, 2026 · 133 stories · Confirmed · Subscribe
Science

CDC Confirms Taco Bell's Shredded Lettuce Spread Cyclospora Across Five States

The outbreak infected 1,644 people and hospitalized 94 across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with no deaths reported.

  • 1,644 cyclospora cases confirmed across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia since the outbreak began.
  • 94 patients hospitalized; CDC and FDA report zero deaths tied to the outbreak so far.
  • Investigators traced the parasite to shredded iceberg lettuce served in Taco Bell menu items.

Why it matters: The agencies confirmed the source only once the outbreak was already over, tracing illness rather than preventing it.

PBS NewsHour/AP, citing CDC/FDA ↗ · Jul 17, 20267/17/26 · ✓ Checked✓ Check