Post-Outbreak Response Activities: Multistate Outbreaks of Cyclospora Illnesses
As the historical Cyclospora season is winding down and FDA’s outbreak investigations are wrapping up, FDA is quickly turning to its post-response activities focused on mitigating and preventing future outbreaks.
From May through September 2026, the FDA along with the CDC and state partners investigated multiple Cyclospora outbreaks. As of September 8, the CDC reported 19,595 laboratory confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States. This data includes more than 12,000 cases from one large multi-state outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. On September 11, 2026, the CDC declared the multistate outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce over. The FDA’s investigation of the outbreak associated with Taylor Farms de Mexico continues, as well as the investigations into other Cyclospora outbreak clusters experienced this summer.
Outbreak Overview: Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses linked to Iceberg Lettuce
On July 16, 2026, the FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, first announced they were investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to iceberg lettuce. On July 17, 2026, the agencies announced that traceback had converged on a single supplier of the iceberg lettuce, Taylor Farms de Mexico, who then initiated a voluntary recall on the same day. The federal agencies, along with state partners, then began work to link consumers sick with cyclosporiasis to the recalled lettuce across an expanding number of states. On August 20, 2026, the FDA announced that it had initiated onsite inspections and sample collection at lettuce growers in Mexico.
On September 11, 2026, CDC announced that the outbreak has ended. As the FDA's investigation continues, updates will be provided on the outbreak investigation page.
Additional updates regarding post-response activities will be updated below.
FDA’s Ongoing Post-Response Activities
The FDA is continuing its investigation into the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico, while also transitioning to post-response, prevention-oriented activities which will be updated below on an ongoing basis.
- During the week of September 8th, senior FDA and Mexican public health and agricultural officials met to encourage continued engagement on a prevention focused framework to address outbreaks linked to produce grown in Mexico.
- The FDA is continuing its investigation into the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico and the root cause of the outbreak. The FDA is committed to sharing the findings and plans to incorporate lessons learned into the Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan, as well as use those findings to inform future outbreak response and prevention efforts under the Food Safety Partnership between the U.S. and Mexico.
- The FDA is sending a letter to industry calling for collaboration to address Cyclospora contamination throughout the supply chain.
- The FDA is encouraging continued communication, engagement and collaboration with industry, academia, states and other stakeholders on best practices to prevent future Cyclospora outbreaks.
Additional Cyclospora related actions will be incorporated into FDA’s Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan. The FDA is committed to updating the action plan in the coming months to include lessons learned and additional activities following this Cyclospora season.