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A growing number of lawsuits have been filed against Taco Bell and food producer Taylor Farms as a multistate Cyclospora outbreak continues to expand, with almost 2,000 laboratory-confirmed illnesses reported and federal investigators continuing to examine the source of the infections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified fast-food chain Taco Bell as a possible exposure source for many patients. The agency has also said Taylor Farms' iceberg lettuce from central Mexico may be behind the outbreak. Newsweek has contacted both companies for comment on the legal action via email.
At least 1,947 laboratory-confirmed cases have now been reported across nine states, resulting in 98 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
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Customers File Lawsuits Over Cyclospora
As the outbreak has grown, several customers have filed legal complaints, alleging personal injury and negligence against Taco Bell, Taylor Farms or both companies.
The first known lawsuit was filed in Ohio on July 16 by plaintiff Mohammed R. Ayyad against a Taco Bell franchise in the state.
A day later, Michigan residents Preston and Marie Parrish filed a suit against Taco Bell. Also on July 17, Ohio plaintiff Valerie Caruso filed a lawsuit naming both Taco Bell and Taylor Farms.
Additional litigation followed in Michigan on July 22, when Karl and Gina Hercula filed a suit against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms. On July 23, another lawsuit involving multiple plaintiffs was filed in Michigan against the two companies, while a separate complaint was filed on the same day in California by plaintiffs Lawrence Null and Danielle Long against Taylor Farms and Taco Bell.
The lawsuits accuse the companies of negligence and seek damages for personal injuries that the customers say were linked to the outbreak.
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CDC Continues Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation
The CDC has linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and distributed by Taylor Farms, which announced a voluntary recall on July 17.
According to the CDC, public health officials are continuing to interview known patients about what they ate during the two weeks before becoming ill.
"State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the two weeks before they got sick," the agency said on July 24, its latest update. "A total of 1,947 people infected with Cyclospora and reporting exposure to Taco Bell have been reported by 9 states. Illnesses linked to this outbreak began on June 22 and onset dates have continued through July 20, 2026. There have been at least 98 hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported. Of note, this number includes sick people who have traveled to states involved in the outbreak in the two weeks before their illness began and ate at Taco Bell."
The CDC has cautioned that the reported total likely understates the scale of the outbreak because not everyone seeks medical care or is tested. Recent illnesses also may not yet appear in official figures because confirming whether a case is part of a Cyclospora outbreak can take up to six weeks.
The outbreak currently involves nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
The Taco Bell/Taylor Farms-linked outbreak remains the largest active investigation, but other cases have emerged nationwide.
Since May 1, the CDC has recorded 4,173 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. The agency is also reviewing more than 7,400 additional suspected cases that require further analysis. Combined, reports have come from 41 states.
Taylor Farms Recalls Produce
Taylor Farms has said it acted immediately after questions emerged about the source of the illnesses, removing potentially implicated products from the market before expanding the action into a broader recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from the region.
"We are passionate about helping people live healthier lives through fresh produce, and the safety of our food is paramount. We maintain best-in-class Cyclospora prevention protocols and invest more than $200 million annually into our independently audited and verified food safety protocols," a company spokesperson previously told Newsweek.
The spokesperson added: "When questions were raised about the source of the recent Cyclospora outbreak, we immediately removed all potentially implicated product from the marketplace, and out of an abundance of caution we issued an even broader recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from the region."
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Taylor Farms has also voluntarily suspended all iceberg lettuce sourcing and production from central Mexico.
The company has maintained that "according to the FDA, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora as of July 24, 2026."
It also said it had commissioned independent experts "to conduct a top-to-bottom review of food safety processes and protocols in our central Mexico facility" while continuing "to work with health authorities, customers, and independent farming partners to address this issue."
Taco Bell, which uses Taylor Farms lettuce, said in a statement earlier this month that it had removed Taylor Farms lettuce products from its supply chain.
"We took this action to ensure our guests can enjoy their Taco Bell favorites safely," the company said in a statement. "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 has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and food service operators to do the same."
What Is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that infects the small intestine and causes an illness known as cyclosporiasis. People typically become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with fecal matter, with fresh produce such as leafy greens, herbs, berries and other fruits and vegetables among the foods most commonly associated with outbreaks.
Unlike many foodborne illnesses, Cyclospora does not spread directly from one person to another because the parasite must first mature in the environment before it becomes infectious.
Symptoms generally develop between two and 14 days after exposure and can include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and increased gas. Some people also experience vomiting and a low-grade fever. Although most healthy people recover with appropriate antibiotic treatment, infections can continue for weeks or even months if left untreated, sometimes returning after symptoms initially improve.
Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Check out Newsweek's latest coverage:
- Taylor Farms Says FDA Has Apologized Over ‘False Positive’ Cyclospora Test
- Cyclospora Patient Reveals What Symptoms are Really Like as Outbreak Spreads
- Which Salad Greens Are Safe From Cyclospora Parasite? List of Companies, Where to Buy
- What Kills Cyclospora? Food Safety Tips Amid Explosive Diarrhea Outbreaks
- Medicine To Treat ‘Explosive’ Diarrhea Outbreaks Could Cause More Diarrhea
- Cyclospora Isn’t the Only Parasite in Fresh Produce—Experts Warn of Others
- How Long Does Cyclospora Incubate? Symptoms To Watch For, How to Treat It
- Where Does Cyclospora Parasite Come From? How to Protect Yourself
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Shakeema Edwards.
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