Illinois Residents Sickened by Ongoing Taco Bell Cyclospora Outbreak

Product Recalls - August 3, 2026

Taylor Farms de Mexico Announces Voluntary Recall of Lettuce Linked to Ongoing Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Taco Bell

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (August 3, 2026) – At least 1947 people have become infected with Cyclospora after eating shredded lettuce served by Taco Bell.

The Food and Drug Administration has announced that cases of Taco Bell Cyclospora exposure have spread to nine states. These states include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Taylor Farms de Mexico has announced that they are voluntarily recalling all iceberg lettuce that was sourced to them from Central Mexico. Taco Bell has indicated that they are no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Any person that is showing symptoms of cyclosporiasis should contact their healthcare provider to receive care. These symptoms can come in many forms.

  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Flu like symptoms

A full investigation into the source of the contamination remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Injuries Related to Cyclospora Outbreak

Food growers, distributors, processors, and restaurants could be liable if they serve any type of food that causes a person to become ill. Liability will typically hinge on where the source of the contamination was, and whether or not reasonable food safety procedures were being followed throughout the custody of the affected product. What follows are some of the common sources of liability for any foodborne illness.

  • Growers: A grower could face liability if they used contaminated irrigation water or unsanitary equipment to harvest their crop.
  • Distributors: A distributor could face liability if they allowed for improper handling of lettuce or another product. This can include situations where workers do not wash their hands after using the bathroom.
  • Restaurants: Restaurants could also be legally responsible for a foodborne illness if they allowed for cross-contamination or ignored customer complaints regarding an illness.

The vast majority of food contamination is preventable. It tends to be the results of lax safety procedures. In particular, uncleaned equipment and workers that are not properly washing their hands are a major concern. If a food distributor has actual or constructive knowledge that their crop is contaminated, they should take prompt action. Failing to take prompt action to protect the public could also be construed as negligence.

Steps to Take After Being Affected by Cyclospora

Foodborne illnesses are much more common than many people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “CDC estimated the average number of U.S. foodborne illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths in 2019 caused by seven major pathogens. Six of these pathogens caused 9.9 million domestically acquired foodborne illnesses. Illnesses caused by all seven pathogens resulted in 53,300 hospitalizations and 931 deaths.” There are a number of steps that victims should take if they contract cyclosporiasis.

  • Victims should consult with a healthcare provider as early as possible.
  • All medical records related to the incident should be collected and preserved.
  • The source of the contamination should be investigated.
  • Any person that develops a foodborne illness should seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney.

It could be difficult to know where to begin after contracting cyclosporiasis. Affected parties may be left with high medical bills and need to take extensive periods of time away from work. Unfortunately, large fast food companies and their insurance providers are not likely to admit faults after any outbreak. This is why it’s so important that victims take the time to speak with an attorney about their options. Victims may be entitled to significant financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Getting Legal Help After Contracting Cyclosporiasis

Horwitz Horwitz & Associates was very concerned to learn about the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak across Illinois and several other states. It is our sincere hope that all of the affected parties will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the source and cause of the contamination. If the root cause is not addressed, something similar can happen again in the future.

Have you become ill after eating at Taco Bell? Do you have a confirmed case of Cyclospora? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here to support you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that negligent companies are held accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help, we’re here to assist you. You can contact us anytime at (312) 564-4256.