FDA Travels to Mexico as Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation Continues

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials are traveling to Mexico as they continue investigating a major outbreak of cyclosporiasis. The trip comes about a month after regulators connected the Taylor Farms cyclospora outbreak to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico.

However, laboratory tests have not confirmed the parasite in Taylor Farms lettuce. The investigation instead relies heavily on illness interviews and supply-chain records.

FDA Investigation Focuses on Central Mexico

The FDA previously traced shredded iceberg lettuce served at several Taco Bell restaurants to Taylor Farms de Mexico. The company operates a processing facility in Guanajuato and obtains produce from regional growers.

Taylor Farms voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market on July 17. The recall covered products distributed under several brands and through restaurants, retailers and food-service companies.

Now, FDA officials are visiting Mexico to continue the investigation and coordinate with Mexican regulators. The agency has not publicly released complete details about the trip or announced new inspection findings.

According to the FDA’s outbreak notice, traceback records continue to point toward shredded iceberg lettuce handled by Taylor Farms.

False Positive Complicates Cyclospora Investigation

Initially, the FDA announced that a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico had tested positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis. However, laboratory experts reviewed the test again and classified it as a false positive.

Consequently, the agency had no confirmed positive product samples as of its July 24 update. Nevertheless, the FDA said the result did not change the epidemiological evidence supporting the recall.

Mexican officials have also tested lettuce and water from the Taylor Farms facility. Those tests found no Cyclospora or fecal coliform bacteria, according to Mexico’s food safety agency.

Therefore, U.S. and Mexican authorities have not identified exactly where or how contamination may have occurred.

Illnesses Reported Across the United States

Meanwhile, the outbreak has continued to grow. By Aug. 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had connected illnesses in 15 states to iceberg lettuce.

Those states include Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In addition, health departments have reported Cyclospora cases in at least 47 states during 2026. Officials continue to determine which illnesses belong to this outbreak or several other active investigations.

Michigan officials have reported two deaths connected to the parasite. Still, Texas was not among the 15 states tied to the lettuce outbreak as of the latest public update.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food or water through human feces. It causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis.

Symptoms usually include prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Additionally, symptoms may disappear and return without treatment.

Most people develop symptoms about one week after exposure. However, the illness can continue for several weeks or longer.

Consumers should discard any recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce that may remain at home. Furthermore, anyone with persistent diarrhea should contact a health care provider and report recent food exposures.

The FDA investigation remains active. Therefore, consumers should monitor the agency’s recall page for new findings or updated product information.