The Taco Bell Food Illness

You may have scrolled through Tiktok, Instagram and other social media platforms and heard of a new parasite that seems to be affecting restaurants including a fan favorite, Taco Bell. The parasite, known as Cyclosporiasis, is an infection in the small intestine caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite carried in human feces. People become infected with cyclospora due to consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms from Cyclospora are mainly diarrhea, pain, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, stomach cramps, and loss of appetite. People may also experience vomiting, headaches, fevers, and body aches. If left untreated, these symptoms can last for weeks, but they usually aren’t life threatening. 

The source of this parasite in 2026, comes from a farm in Mexico called “Taylor Farms de Mexico.” The state affected the most from this parasite was Michigan, where two people had died due to the parasite, although the victims already had health issues prior to getting infected. The lettuce was sold and distributed to more than twenty-seven states to restaurants, retailers, and consumers. On July 17, 2026, “Taylor Farms de Mexico” announced that they are working to remove all iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico in the U.S. market. These infected products are no longer available in stores or restaurants where they can be purchased. The FDA is continuing to work with federal and state partners to examine this outbreak and have all iceberg lettuce removed from the market.

Sources

CDC. “Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Iceberg Lettuce.” Cyclosporiasis, 11 Sept. 2026, www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/07-26/index.html. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Kee, Caroline. “Cyclosporiasis Map 2026, Foods to Avoid as Outbreak Spreads to 47 States.” TODAY.Com, TODAY, 5 Aug. 2026, www.today.com/health/disease/cyclosporiasis-outbreak-states-map-2026-parasite-foods-avoid-diarrhea-rcna590935. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Program, Human Foods. “Investigation of 15-State Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses: Iceberg Lettuce (July 2026).” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 5 Aug. 2026, www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-15-state-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Simon Media Properties, LLC, © Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved. “Taco Bell.” Simon.Com, SIMON, 2026, www.simon.com/mall/square-one-mall/stores/taco-bell. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Tabron, Devockius. UGA Food Safety Expert Explains Cyclosporiasis and How to Reduce Your Risk. 20 July 2026.