Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce detected in US
In the United States, 10,930 cases of Cyclospora have been identified in 17 states. The outbreak has been linked to processed iceberg lettuce from Mexico.
An outbreak of illness caused by the Cyclospora bacteria, originating from iceberg lettuce, has been reported in the United States. According to the Food Safety Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 10,930 cases have been reported in 17 states.
As a result of the outbreak, 454 people were hospitalized, and two died. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating the incident.
According to the FDA's information from August 20, 2026, an epidemiological investigation established a link between the reported cases of illness and processed iceberg lettuce. The products were grown in central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
In light of these findings, the company initiated a voluntary recall of the affected products from the U.S. market on July 17, 2026.
This outbreak has once again highlighted the strict sanitary and microbiological safety requirements for food products destined for the US market.
For companies exporting food and fruit and vegetable products to the United States, it is critical to maintain hygiene standards at all stages—from cultivation to packaging, monitor the quality of the water used, and ensure full traceability of products.
The Food Safety Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan also emphasizes the need for exporters to strictly adhere to food safety requirements established by the FDA.