Lettuce Outbreak Resolved
CDC Declares Nation's Largest Recorded Cyclospora Outbreak Over Following Produce Recalls
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Key Points
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Beyond the 12,833 cases tied to the lettuce outbreak, officials reported 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 49 states and Washington, D.C., as of Sept. 11, with thousands more awaiting confirmation.
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The outbreak occurred amid an unprecedented national surge: since May 1, nearly 20,000 laboratory-confirmed cases and more than 6,100 suspected cases had been reported—more than 16 times the number recorded during the same period the previous year. The prior national high was about 4,700 cases in 2019.
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Officials still have not determined how Cyclospora contaminated enough lettuce to cause the outbreak. The parasite spreads through human feces, potentially when produce contacts contaminated soil or water, according to food-safety expert Ellen Shumaker.
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The outbreak had a measurable impact on restaurant business: Placer.ai data showed Taco Bell traffic fell 30.9% below its day-of-week average as news spread, although traffic began recovering in August.
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Despite the disruption, Taco Bell reported a 7% increase in same-store sales during the quarter in which the outbreak occurred, according to comments from its parent company during its second-quarter earnings call.
U.S. health officials have declared the nation's largest recorded cyclospora outbreak over. Nearly 13,000 people across 21 states got sick from eating shredded iceberg lettuce made by Taylor Farms de Mexico, according to FDA data. The contaminated product has been pulled from stores, and the immediate danger has passed.
The outbreak sparked an unprecedented surge in cases nationwide. From May 1 through mid-September, officials reported nearly 20,000 confirmed cases across 49 states—more than 16 times the number from the same period a year earlier, according to NBC News. Two deaths were linked to the outbreak, and hundreds were hospitalized.
The Outbreak's Massive Scale
The cyclospora outbreak stands as the largest in U.S. history. Quartz reported that 12,833 cases were directly tied to the contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. Beyond that cluster, officials confirmed 19,595 additional cyclosporiasis cases across all 50 states as of September 11, with thousands more awaiting lab confirmation.
The surge was staggering compared to history. In 2019, the U.S. recorded about 4,700 cyclosporiasis cases for the entire year. This outbreak alone produced more than four times that number in just four months, demonstrating an unprecedented public health event.
Mystery of How Lettuce Got Contaminated
Officials still don't know how cyclospora parasite infected the lettuce supply. The parasite spreads through human feces and can contaminate produce when it contacts contaminated soil or water. Food-safety experts say the outbreak origin remains unknown despite investigation by the FDA and other agencies.
Fox LA reported that the FDA continues investigating how the parasite got into enough lettuce to sicken nearly 13,000 people. Officials are also tracking several other cyclospora clusters that remain unresolved. The source of contamination—whether at the farm, during processing, or elsewhere—has not been determined.
Restaurant Chains Pull Lettuce and Face Traffic Drop
Taco Bell and other restaurant chains quickly removed Taylor Farms lettuce from their menus once the outbreak was identified. Fox LA reported that Taco Bell traffic fell 30.9% below normal levels as news of the outbreak spread. However, traffic began recovering by August as consumers grew less concerned.
Despite the disruption, Taco Bell's parent company reported a 7% increase in same-store sales during the quarter when the outbreak occurred. This surprising result suggests the chain's quick response and other menu items kept sales strong despite the lettuce scare and temporary traffic loss.
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