Taylor Farms de Mexico has voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. FDA later reported that a previously reported positive product sample was a false positive and that no confirmed positive Cyclospora product-test results had been identified as of July 19, 2026.
An individual lawsuit has also been filed in Ohio. People diagnosed with cyclosporiasis after potentially relevant lettuce exposure may want to preserve medical, purchase, restaurant, and location records for legal review.
Quick Facts
- The federal investigation involves iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico used at affected Taco Bell locations.
- Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
- FDA says no confirmed positive Cyclospora product-test results had been identified as of July 19, 2026.
- An individual Ohio lawsuit names Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. dba Taylor Farms as a defendant.
Table Of Contents
- Latest News & Updates on Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Lawsuits
- What Is the Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation?
- Which Taylor Farms Products Are Recalled?
- What Is Cyclospora?
- Reported Risks or Injuries
- How Does the Problem Occur, and Who May Be Liable?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Do I Qualify?
- Do I Have a Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Lawsuit?
- Important Legal Actions or Recalls
- Potential Compensation
- Legal Process Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Lawsuits
- What is the Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak investigation?
- What Taylor Farms products are recalled?
- Is Taco Bell still using Taylor Farms lettuce?
- Did FDA confirm Cyclospora in Taylor Farms lettuce?
- Has a Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak lawsuit been filed?
- What symptoms are associated with Cyclospora infection?
- Can I file a Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak lawsuit if I was hospitalized?
- What evidence should I save for a Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak lawsuit?
- References
Latest News & Updates on Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Lawsuits
July 2026
July 20, 2026 – FDA re-reviewed a Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce sample that had previously been reported positive and concluded the result should be considered a false positive. FDA said there were no confirmed positive Cyclospora product-test results as of July 19, 2026, while Reuters reported that Taylor Fresh Foods said it had been informed of the testing error and that the voluntary recall remained in place [1, 2].
July 18, 2026 – FDA published Taylor Fresh Foods’ company recall announcement for iceberg lettuce from central Mexico because of possible Cyclospora contamination. The recall covers foodservice iceberg lettuce products and Marketside-brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce sold at select Walmart stores [3].
July 17, 2026 – A complaint was filed electronically in Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio on behalf of David Ott, who alleges that he developed cyclosporiasis after eating Taco Bell food in June 2026. The complaint names Taco Bell Corp., Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. dba Taylor Farms, and Charter Foods Inc. dba Taco Bell #027999 as defendants [4, 5].
What Is the Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation?
The federal Cyclospora outbreak investigation involving Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce centers on traceback evidence, a voluntary recall, and reported illnesses associated with lettuce served through restaurants and retail channels. FDA has not reported a confirmed positive Cyclospora product-test result as of its July 19 update.
FDA said its traceback investigation converged on Taylor Farms de Mexico as the supplier of iceberg lettuce used at affected Taco Bell locations. The agency also says the outbreak investigation remains ongoing and that additional products, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels could be identified.
The recall includes iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and distributed in the United States. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should discard recalled lettuce and clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that touched it.
Which Taylor Farms Products Are Recalled?
Taylor Fresh Foods’ recall announcement covers iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Recalled products include multiple foodservice iceberg lettuce products, such as:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Chopped iceberg lettuce
- Lettuce salad mixes
- Iceberg-and-romaine blends
- Other listed foodservice iceberg products
FDA also identifies recalled Marketside products sold at select Walmart stores, including:
- 12-ounce Marketside Iceberg Salad
- 24-ounce Marketside Iceberg Salad
- 8-ounce Marketside Shredded Lettuce
- 16-ounce Marketside Shredded Lettuce
Consumers should verify the applicable Best if Used By dates, product details, and distribution information against the FDA recall notice. Product-specific eligibility depends on the recalled item, date code, purchase location, restaurant source, and exposure evidence.
What Is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. People can become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite [6].
Common symptoms include diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, and fever may also occur.
Symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer if untreated. They may also appear to improve and then return one or more times.
Prolonged diarrhea may contribute to dehydration and can require medical treatment, particularly when symptoms are severe or persistent.
Reported Risks or Injuries
The reported outbreak cases involve cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora infection. Some affected patients have required hospitalization, and prolonged or recurring gastrointestinal symptoms may occur.
The Ohio complaint alleges that David Ott developed severe gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at a Youngstown Taco Bell in June 2026. According to the complaint, he was hospitalized, underwent diagnostic testing, tested positive for Cyclospora, and received treatment before continuing his recovery at home.
Other affected consumers may have eaten Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce through restaurants, foodservice meals, Walmart Marketside products, or other distribution channels. Exposure evidence may depend on the product, store, restaurant, date, location, and available records.
How Does the Problem Occur, and Who May Be Liable?
Cyclospora infection can occur when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the parasite. In this outbreak, FDA traceback evidence identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the supplier of iceberg lettuce used by affected Taco Bell locations.
A legal investigation may examine growing location, irrigation water, harvest conditions, worker hygiene, washing and processing controls, sanitation records, distribution records, product testing, traceback records, recall timing, customer notice, and communications with regulators. It may also examine how recalled lettuce moved through restaurants, retailers, foodservice customers, and consumer channels.
The Ohio complaint alleges statutory product liability, supplier liability, strict product liability, negligence and negligence per se, and breach of implied warranties. Potentially responsible parties may include Taylor Fresh Foods, Taylor Farms de Mexico, growers, processors, distributors, retailers, restaurants, franchise operators, logistics companies, or other entities involved in producing, supplying, distributing, or serving the allegedly contaminated lettuce.
Liability depends on product identification, exposure evidence, medical proof, traceback evidence, causation, damages, and state law. FDA’s false-positive clarification makes careful evidence review especially important because laboratory testing had not confirmed Cyclospora in a product sample as of July 19, 2026.
Who May Be Affected?
Consumers may be affected if they ate recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce or food made with recalled iceberg lettuce. This may include food served at affected Taco Bell locations, other restaurants, foodservice settings, or Marketside products sold at select Walmart stores.
People who ate Taco Bell menu items containing shredded iceberg lettuce in the five affected states may have been exposed. Consumers who purchased Marketside iceberg salad or shredded lettuce should check product size, Best if Used By dates, store location, and recall details.
Customers should contact a healthcare provider if they develop symptoms of cyclosporiasis, especially if they ate shredded iceberg lettuce in the two weeks before becoming ill. FDA also recommends that consumers, restaurants, and retailers discard recalled lettuce and clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that touched it.
Families may be affected if illness caused missed work, medical bills, hospitalization, caregiving expenses, travel costs, dehydration, prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms, or continuing recovery needs.
Do I Qualify?
- Did you eat recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce, Marketside iceberg salad, Marketside shredded lettuce, or Taco Bell lettuce during the outbreak period?
- Did you develop symptoms of cyclosporiasis afterward?
- Were you diagnosed with Cyclospora infection or treated for a serious gastrointestinal illness?
- Do you have medical records, laboratory results, receipts, app orders, bank records, product packaging, photos, or other evidence that may document your illness and exposure?
A legal review can help determine eligibility by evaluating your exposure history, product source, symptom timing, diagnosis, treatment, damages, available evidence, and applicable filing deadlines.
Do I Have a Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one developed cyclosporiasis after eating recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce or food made with recalled lettuce, you may have legal options. Contact Schmidt & Clark for a free case review.
Important Legal Actions or Recalls
| Event | Month/Year | Type | Status | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA outbreak and traceback investigation involving Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce | July 2026 | Foodborne illness outbreak investigation | Ongoing; no confirmed positive product test as of July 19, 2026 | FDA outbreak advisory | FDA identified Taylor Farms de Mexico through traceback and later clarified that a previously reported positive sample was a false positive. |
| Taylor Fresh Foods recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico | July 2026 | Food recall | Voluntary recall announced | FDA recall notice | The recall includes foodservice iceberg lettuce products and Marketside-brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce sold at select Walmart stores. |
| David Ott complaint against Taco Bell Corp., Taylor Farms, and Charter Foods | July 2026 | Foodborne illness lawsuit | Complaint filed electronically in Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas | Complaint and filing confirmation | The complaint alleges laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis after Taco Bell purchases in Youngstown, Ohio, in June 2026. |
Potential Compensation
Potential compensation may include emergency care, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, stool studies, blood work, CT scans, colonoscopy, prescription medication, follow-up appointments, and future medical expenses.
Additional damages may include pain and suffering, dehydration, prolonged gastrointestinal illness, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, travel expenses, caregiver costs, and out-of-pocket expenses. Severe cases may involve recurring symptoms, extended recovery, or complications requiring additional medical care.
Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Legal Process Overview
Step 1: Free case review. The review begins with where and when the person ate lettuce, whether the product was recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, and when symptoms began. Medical records, lab results, receipts, packaging, app orders, bank statements, and location history may help prove a food poisoning claim by establishing exposure.
Step 2: Investigation. The investigation may examine purchase records, product packaging, store records, restaurant records, outbreak geography, illness timing, stool testing, hospital records, FDA updates, recall documents, and traceback findings. Attorneys may also review whether the illness pattern matches the outbreak’s reported dates, distribution channels, and recalled products.
Step 3: Filing the claim. A supported claim may allege negligence, strict product liability, breach of warranty, failure to warn, supplier liability, or other food-safety theories. Filing requirements and limitation periods depend on the state, defendants, and date of illness.
Step 4: Discovery and negotiation. The parties may exchange supplier contracts, farm records, sanitation records, distribution documents, testing information, complaint data, recall communications, medical records, expert opinions, and witness testimony. Negotiations may focus on exposure proof, diagnostic confirmation, illness severity, hospitalization, lost income, and continuing symptoms.
Step 5: Resolution. A case may resolve through settlement, dismissal, court ruling, or trial. The outcome depends on causation evidence, medical documentation, damages, available defendants, insurance, and applicable defenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor Farms Cyclospora Outbreak Lawsuits
What is the Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak investigation?
The Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak investigation involves iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico that FDA identified through traceback. FDA says the investigation remains ongoing and that no confirmed positive Cyclospora product-test result had been identified as of July 19, 2026.
What Taylor Farms products are recalled?
The recall includes iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, including multiple foodservice products and Marketside-brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce sold at select Walmart stores. Consumers should check the FDA recall notice for product descriptions, brand names, and Best if Used By dates.
Is Taco Bell still using Taylor Farms lettuce?
FDA says Taco Bell indicated it was no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as of July 17, 2026. Consumers should still avoid recalled lettuce at Taco Bell or other restaurants and ask about the source of iceberg lettuce when the source is unclear.
Did FDA confirm Cyclospora in Taylor Farms lettuce?
No confirmed product-test result had been identified as of FDA’s July 19 update. FDA reported that a previously reported positive sample was re-reviewed and considered a false positive, while the investigation and recall remained active.
Has a Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak lawsuit been filed?
Yes. A complaint filed electronically in Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio names David Ott as plaintiff and Taco Bell Corp., Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. dba Taylor Farms, and Charter Foods Inc. dba Taco Bell #027999 as defendants. The complaint alleges that Mr. Ott developed cyclosporiasis after eating Taco Bell food in Youngstown, Ohio, in June 2026.
What symptoms are associated with Cyclospora infection?
Common symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Vomiting, body aches, headache, and fever may also occur, and symptoms can improve and then return.
Can I file a Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak lawsuit if I was hospitalized?
Possibly. Hospitalization, laboratory-confirmed Cyclospora infection, documented exposure to recalled Taylor Farms lettuce or Taco Bell lettuce, and resulting financial or medical losses may be relevant to an individual claim. Eligibility depends on the available evidence, the facts of the exposure, and applicable state law.
What evidence should I save for a Taylor Farms Cyclospora outbreak lawsuit?
Save product packaging, receipts, app orders, bank records, location history, photos, medical records, stool test results, discharge papers, prescription records, work-loss records, and witness information. If you ate lettuce at a restaurant, preserve the restaurant location, meal date, menu item, payment record, and any proof that shredded iceberg lettuce was included.
References
- https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-5-state-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026
- https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/fda-says-taylor-farms-cyclospora-finding-was-false-positive-2026-07-20/
- https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taylor-fresh-foods-recalls-iceberg-lettuce-central-mexico-because-possible-health-risk
- David Ott v. Taco Bell Corp., Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. dba Taylor Farms, and Charter Foods Inc. dba Taco Bell #027999, Complaint, Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, filed July 17, 2026.
- Mahoning County electronic filing confirmation, Filing ID 1413798, Civil, Complaint Filed Electronically, received July 17, 2026.
- https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cyclospora