List of major retailers pulling products over cyclospora outbreak
A growing Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce has prompted widespread product removals and recalls across the U.S., with major retailers and restaurant chains taking action as federal investigators work to identify the source of contamination.
Walmart has removed several lettuce products from stores, while Taco Bell has pulled potentially affected ingredients from restaurants as a precaution. Federal officials say the actions are intended to prevent additional illnesses while they continue traceback efforts.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at the time of publication, more than 1,644 illnesses and 94 hospitalizations have been linked to the outbreak across five states—Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia—though no deaths have been reported.
The investigation remains ongoing.
What We Know About the Outbreak
According to the CDC, the outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce, which led supplier Taylor Farms—which supplies fresh food products to grocery stores, restaurants and food services across America—to voluntarily recall all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
The outbreak involves Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis.
Symptoms commonly include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Explosive bowel movements
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Weight loss
Illness often begins about a week after exposure—but can range from two days to two weeks or more—and can last for weeks if not treated.
Investigators traced illnesses to iceberg lettuce supplied through the food-service and retail supply chain.
On July 17, Taylor Farms announced a recall, which was published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 18, covering all iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico and distributed from June 29 to July 16 to the following 27 states:
- 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
- Wisconsin
The company said, in a separate statement, that the FDA’s traceback investigation pointed to a specific independent farm in the region as the potential source, alhough it nevertheless removed all iceberg lettuce from that area from the U.S. market.
The recall includes products sold at retail stores as well as lettuce supplied to restaurants and other food-service customers.
Sysco—the nation’s largest food-service distributor—has stopped distributing Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and advised customers to throw away all products covered by the recall.
What Walmart Said
Walmart confirmed it had removed several iceberg lettuce products from sale after being notified by its supplier.
The FDA said that the recalled lettuce was sold in Walmart stores located in 15 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
“The health and safety of our customers is a top priority,” a Walmart spokesperson told CNBC. The company said it had removed four bagged iceberg lettuce salad products from stores as a precaution, despite there being no indication that products sold at Walmart stores had been directly linked to the ongoing investigation.
The retailer added that there had been no confirmed illnesses associated with the specific products removed from its shelves and said it was working closely with its supplier while monitoring the situation.
Newsweek has contacted Walmart by email to establish how many stores have been affected, whether it’s received any reports of illnesses linked to the recalled lettuce, and whether it expects any further recalls or product withdrawals related to the outbreak.
What Taco Bell Said
Taco Bell was among the first major companies to act after investigators linked illnesses to lettuce served in some restaurants. The FDA confirmed that “any Taco Bell locations that received recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico” could be impacted, including restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
According to federal investigators, traceback efforts connected cases in several states to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell locations. Before Taylor Farms announced its broader recall, Taco Bell removed the potentially contaminated lettuce from affected restaurants as a precautionary step, saying, “Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states,” according to USA Today.
What Taylor Farms Said
In a statement published on Friday, July 17, Taylor Farms said, “as a family-owned and operated company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the many Americans whose trust in the safety of their fresh produce has been shaken.” It added that although the FDA had indicated the source of contamination might be linked to just one specific farm, “accounting for less than 1 percent of U.S. iceberg lettuce supply,” it was removing “all iceberg lettuce from the [affected] region indefinitely.”
Other Businesses Affected
In addition to Walmart and Taco Bell, the recall extends to other retailers, restaurants and food-service customers that received the affected lettuce through Taylor Farms’ distribution network.
Federal officials have warned that recalled products may have been sold in multiple package formats and distributed across numerous states.
As the investigation progresses, additional companies could announce product removals or customer notifications if further distribution links are identified.
What Happens Next?
The CDC and FDA will continue to investigate the outbreak and are working with state officials to identify all potentially affected products.
The FDA is advising consumers who have bought the recalled iceberg lettuce to throw it away or return it to the store for a refund. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as persistent watery diarrhea or severe fatigue should contact a healthcare provider and mention possible exposure to Cyclospora, as routine tests don’t always screen for the parasite.
For now, health authorities say avoiding recalled products and following recall notices remain the best ways to reduce the risk of additional infections while investigators work to determine the full extent of the contamination.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Tony Phillips
