The International Fresh Produce Association has issued an updated statement on the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak, calling for stronger federal food safety infrastructure and end-to-end traceability as case counts continue to climb.
“Our first concern is for those affected by this Cyclospora outbreak and we all want to find its root cause,” said Max Teplitski, chief science officer at IFPA, in the July 19 statement. He said the association is committed to bringing the produce supply chain together with regulators and policymakers to reduce the odds of future incidents and minimize their impact on consumers.
IFPA said it is advocating for Congress and the administration to strengthen the FDA’s Human Foods Program, implement end-to-end traceability, promote risk-based oversight and secure resources for state produce safety and compliance programs. The association has gone on record opposing continued delays to implementation of the FDA Food Traceability Rule.
Outbreak traced to imported iceberg lettuce
The statement follows a week of significant developments in the investigation. On July 16, the CDC and FDA identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, as the source of a multi-state outbreak. The agencies reported 1,644 laboratory-confirmed cases and 94 hospitalizations across those five states, with no deaths.
FDA’s traceback investigation converged on a single supplier. On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and initiated a recall.
Retail implications
The recall extends beyond foodservice, however. Taylor Fresh Foods’ recall notice includes Marketside-brand product sold at Walmart, and recalled lettuce was distributed to consumers, restaurants and retailers in multiple states. Retailers who received recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico should discard it, according to the CDC.
The agency noted it is also investigating other cyclosporiasis outbreaks and illnesses nationally that are unrelated to the Taco Bell cluster. Michigan alone has reported more than 5,000 cases during its investigation period.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which spreads through food or water contaminated with feces rather than person to person. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, cramping and fatigue. Previous U.S. outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce including bagged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.
IFPA is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing the global fresh produce and floral supply chain.