NEWS
‘Explosive diarrhea’ illness tied to Taco Bell lettuce. Are New York locations affected?
Madison ScottNew York Connect Team
July 20, 2026, 5:40 a.m. ET
Iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states has been linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak, federal health officials say. But as of Friday, July 17, New York Taco Bell locations have not been linked to the investigation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and state health officials said shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia has been linked to the parasite outbreak
However, New York remains under scrutiny because preliminary state data show about 511 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported statewide since May 1, even though state health officials say there is no evidence of a single multistate outbreak connecting those cases
The FDA said it traced the lettuce served at the affected Taco Bell restaurants to a single supplier in Mexico and is investigating whether the product was distributed elsewhere. The USA Today network’s New York-Connect Team has reached out to the New York State Department of Health to ask whether any New York cases have been linked to Taco Bell or the lettuce identified in the federal investigation
Taco Bell said it has removed the potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain nationwide as a precaution
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and can cause watery or explosive diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and a low-grade fever
What federal investigators found
Federal investigators said 1,644 people who became sick reported eating at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia before developing symptoms
The illnesses began between May 13 and June 13, according to the CDC. So far, 94 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported
Michigan health officials interviewed 190 patients, and about 90% reported eating shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell before becoming ill
The FDA traced that lettuce to a single supplier in Mexico and has increased border screening of imported products connected to the investigation. Officials emphasized that not every Taco Bell restaurant in the five affected states received the contaminated lettuce
The FDA also warned that additional states, restaurants, retailers and suppliers could be added to the investigation as more information becomes available
Does this affect Taco Bell restaurants in New York?
Not at this time
The CDC and FDA have linked this specific outbreak only to Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia
New York has not been included in the federal advisory
However, investigators are working to determine whether the contaminated lettuce was distributed beyond those states
Meanwhile, New York has reported an increase in laboratory-confirmed cyclospora infections this year. State health officials say there is no evidence that all of the state’s cases are connected to a single
The FDA noted that the Taco Bell outbreak represents only one subset of cyclospora cases being investigated nationwide
Taco Bell removes lettuce nationwide
Taco Bell said Thursday it removed the potentially affected lettuce supplied to certain restaurants and is indefinitely removing that supplier’s lettuce from its nationwide supply chain
The chain said replacement lettuce would be distributed to affected markets within 24 hours
“While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests,” Taco Bell said in a statement
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
According to the CDC, symptoms typically begin about one week after infection and may include:
- Watery or explosive diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating
- Low-grade fever
Without treatment, symptoms can last a month or longer
Because routine stool tests do not always detect Cyclospora, the CDC recommends asking a health care provider for a test that specifically screens for the parasite if you have symptoms
Anyone diagnosed with cyclosporiasis may be contacted by state or federal health officials to help determine where they may have been exposed. Those who have not been contacted are encouraged to report their illness to their local health department
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com
