If you are searching “Cyclospora iceberg lettuce recall,” the immediate answer is: do not eat iceberg lettuce included in the Taylor Farms de Mexico recall. Check the package, the store, and the date details below; if it matches, throw it away or return it. Federal investigators say the outbreak is still open, so the official recall pages—not a social post or an old headline—are the best place to check before eating or serving the product.
What is known right now
The CDC’s July 24 outbreak update says CDC, FDA, and state health officials are investigating a multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce in nine states. The CDC reports at least 1,947 illnesses and 98 hospitalizations. Its page lists the investigation as open and says a recall has been issued.
On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The recall covers more than a single bag or store: the product was distributed in several package types to consumers, restaurants, and retailers. That is why a quick visual check of a bag is not enough. The FDA’s outbreak investigation is the most useful current reference for product details.
What is not known from these public updates is whether every loose head, salad, or restaurant order containing iceberg lettuce is affected. The agencies have identified recalled products and distribution routes; they have not told consumers to stop eating all lettuce or all produce. Stick to the specific recall information rather than broad claims online.
How to check the lettuce in your home
Start with the package if you still have it. FDA says the retail recall includes certain Marketside products at select Walmart stores: Iceberg Salad in 12-ounce or 24-ounce packages and Shredded Lettuce in 8-ounce or 16-ounce packages. The listed “Best if Used By” dates are July 18 through August 3, 2026. The FDA page also lists the states where those retail products were sold: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
If the package matches, or you cannot confidently identify the lettuce, do not taste it to decide. Throw it away in a sealed bag or return it to the point of purchase for a refund. Then wash containers, refrigerator shelves, cutting boards, and other surfaces it touched with hot, soapy water; a dishwasher is another option for dishwasher-safe items.
The FDA also says recalled iceberg lettuce reached food-service customers in 27 states. If you ate a salad or taco at a restaurant, that does not automatically mean you ate recalled lettuce. FDA specifically notes reports of Taco Bell exposure in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and says Taco Bell stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico on July 17. If you are concerned, ask the restaurant whether it received the recalled product rather than assuming from the restaurant name alone.
Why washing is not the answer
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness. Rinsing fresh produce under running water is a smart everyday habit, but CDC says washing alone cannot guarantee removal of Cyclospora. That is why its direction for recalled food is clear: do not eat it. Cooking can kill the parasite, but that does not make a recalled ready-to-eat lettuce product a sensible experiment—follow the recall instructions instead.
What to watch for after eating lettuce
Symptoms commonly include watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, cramping, bloating, gas, nausea, and weight loss. CDC says symptoms often begin about a week after exposure, though the range can be two days to two weeks or more. FDA notes that some people have no symptoms and that illness can relapse.
If you feel well, there is no reason to self-diagnose; simply watch for symptoms during that window and stay informed through the official update. If symptoms develop—especially persistent diarrhea or signs of dehydration—contact a healthcare provider and mention the possible lettuce exposure. CDC notes that routine stool tests do not always include Cyclospora testing, so that context can help your provider decide what to test for. Seek prompt care for severe symptoms, and take extra care for children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Your next step
Check any iceberg lettuce you bought or served from the relevant dates against the FDA list today. If it is a match, discard or return it, clean nearby surfaces, and do not rely on washing to make it safe. For another example of why product codes and dates matter, see our egg recall checking guide. If diarrhea becomes a concern, our guide to how much water to drink can help you think about hydration while you arrange appropriate care. Most importantly, revisit the CDC or FDA page before acting on new claims—the investigation and product details may change.