A nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis that health officials have linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants has triggered the first wave of lawsuits against the chain and its produce supplier. Reporting indicates it is among the larger foodborne-illness outbreaks in recent U.S. history.
Here is what investigators have found, what the lawsuits allege, and what affected consumers should know.
What the CDC and FDA found
On July 16, 2026, the CDC published a report linking shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants to cyclospora infections across five states: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. According to the FDA and CDC, nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed or are under investigation nationwide since May 1, 2026, with at least 141 people hospitalized. Michigan has been hit hardest.
The FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single supplier of the iceberg lettuce, grown in Mexico. National outlets have reported that supplier to be Taylor Farms, the California-based produce company that supplies major restaurant chains. Taco Bell has said it removed the affected lettuce from stores in the impacted states and is removing the ingredient from its supply chain.
What the lawsuits allege
Litigation has begun. One of the first suits was filed in Ohio on behalf of David Ott, a 27-year U.S. Army veteran who was hospitalized after eating at a Youngstown Taco Bell; it names Taco Bell Corp., Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. (Taylor Farms), and franchise operator Charter Foods, Inc. as defendants. In a separate case, an Ohio man alleged in a federal complaint filed July 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio that he developed cyclosporiasis after multiple meals at a Taco Bell.
The complaints allege the defendants sold and served food contaminated with the cyclospora parasite, causing serious illness. More cases are expected as the outbreak investigation continues.
About cyclosporiasis
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, typically spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever, and can last for weeks without treatment.
What you can do if you were affected
- Seek medical care if you have symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis, especially after eating at a Taco Bell in an affected state. A specific stool test is required to diagnose it, and it is treatable with prescription antibiotics.
- Keep your records. Save receipts, bank or app records of your Taco Bell purchases, and any medical documentation. These can matter for a potential claim.
- Report your illness to your state or local health department, which helps investigators track the outbreak.
Class Action Pulse is tracking the outbreak litigation and will update this article as more cases are filed.