FDA Closes Cyclospora Iceberg Lettuce Outbreak Probe Linked to Taylor Farms

The Food and Drug Administration has officially closed its investigation into a major Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, officials announced on October 2, 2026. According to reports from Food Safety News and WWAYTV3, the outbreak was tied to Taylor Farms operations in Central Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked 12,883 sickened individuals, 570 hospitalizations, and two deaths associated with the outbreak, as Food Safety News reported. [1][2][5][8][10]

Testing by regulators confirmed the presence of the Cyclospora parasite at a Taylor Farms lettuce processing facility as well as on a contract grower's farm. Food Safety News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post all reported that the organism was identified within the environment where the lettuce was cultivated and processed. Marler Blog added that the parasite was specifically isolated from wastewater at the site. [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][10]

The closure comes as public health agencies conclude active site tracing for the summer outbreak. However, Food Poison Journal and Marler Blog reported that the agency still maintains active open files regarding other Cyclospora outbreaks. Marler Blog noted that open files account for 675 illness cases with no identified food source, while Food Poison Journal noted five ongoing investigations covering thousands of total reported illnesses. [1][9]