Federal and state health officials are probing whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, The Washington Post and other news outlets reported, as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance data show hundreds of domestically acquired cases this season.
The Washington Post reported investigators are examining links between the fast-food chain and clusters of illness. News organizations said some Taco Bell locations — notably in Michigan — have temporarily stopped selling certain fresh ingredients, including lettuce, cilantro, pico de gallo and guacamole, amid traceback efforts.
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The CDC said in a July 10 surveillance update that it had received reports of 843 confirmed U.S. cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, 2026. Those cases, reported from 31 states as of July 9, resulted in 86 hospitalizations and no deaths, the agency said. The CDC also noted it is aware of more than 1,500 additional cases that require further analysis to determine whether they were acquired in the United States.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 3,309 cyclosporiasis cases since June 22.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora and is typically spread by consuming food or water contaminated with fecal material. Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss. The CDC said the median age of people in the current U.S. clusters was 44 and that 59% were female; illness onset dates ranged from May 1 through July 5.
State and federal public health and regulatory agencies, including the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration, are investigating multiple clusters and conducting traceback efforts to identify potential food sources, the CDC said.
Officials have not identified a single grower or supplier tied to the outbreak and warned that reported case counts are likely an undercount because some people recover without testing or medical care.
News reports have quoted state health officials saying lettuce and salad greens have come up repeatedly during interviews with sick people, but investigators cautioned that more than one contaminated product or supplier could be involved.
Taco Bell has not publicly confirmed any connection to the outbreak, and the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment in some reports, which said the chain has voluntarily stopped serving select produce items at certain locations as a precaution.
The CDC said it will publish updated data more frequently than in previous seasons and urged people with symptoms to seek medical care. Clinicians are advised to test for Cyclospora and report confirmed cases to local health departments.
News4JAX reached out to Taco Bell for an official statement and asked if it stopped serving lettuce and other fresh ingredients at its Florida locations. We have not yet received a response.