We all know about the link between the huge cyclospora outbreak in 15 states, Taco Bell, and recalled Taylor Farms cyclospora lettuce, as well as the nationwide outbreak, which has sickened at least 20,000 people. The company released a recall on July 17, 2026 that mentioned the Walmart brand, then other foodservice establishments. What wasn’t clear until an FDA Enforcement report was released on August 8, 2026 was which establishments received that lettuce and how much of it they got. Taco Bell’s portion, as it turns out, was miniscule.
The lettuce was distributed to Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. It was also distributed in Mexico. And may have been sold in other states.
In total, Taylor Farms sold 236,192 cases of their iceberg lettuce grown on a farm in central Mexico to various companies. Taco Bell, through their distributor Yum, received 5,900 cases, or 2.497% of the total.
Who bought the most lettuce? Walmart did, with 109,476 cases or 46.3% of the total. Subway purchased 8,075 cases, or 3.4%, and Jack in the Box bought 5,130 cases, or 2.17% of the total. Taylor Farms marketed 68,897 cases, or 29.2% of the product, in various forms including mixes containing romaine, carrots, and red cabbage, and a garden salad mix. Subway and Jack in the Box were not mentioned in the Taylor Farms recall notice.
We do not know exactly where the Taylor Farms brand lettuce and lettuce mixes went. The distributors who purchased the rest of the lettuce include Cross Valley Farms, Markon, Peak Lettuce, and Sysco. Those huge companies sell their products across the country.
These products should be past their use by dates now. The latest CDC report on the outbreak says that the last illness onset date was August 2, 2026. Since it can take up to two weeks for the symptoms of cyclosporiasis to appear, that could account for the new cases. But maybe not. Some people get sick after only two days, and the average incubation period is one week. Which puts those new cases outside of the Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce shelf life.
For now, especially if you are in a high risk group for serious complications from food poisoning, avoid iceberg lettuce and lettuce blends and salad mixes until we have all the answers.
And learn the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, so if you do get sick you can see a doctor. Antibiotics are available to treat this illness. Without treatment, this illness can last a month or longer and recur without warning.
