Taylor Farms has expanded a voluntary recall of its iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico because of a potential link to the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak to include Pennsylvania—this despite confirmation Sunday that a Food and Drug Administration test on a sample of lettuce produced a false positive for the parasite.
The false positive was discovered when the FDA again reviewed the results of a sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico that was reported positive Saturday. Last week, US health officials identified lettuce from a supplier in Mexico as a source of cyclospora contamination in food served at Taco Bell restaurants in Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Products with the potential to be contaminated with the diarrhea-causing parasite were shipped to a total of 27 states.
“We are actively removing the implicated products,” the statement said, adding that the company has stopped sourcing lettuce from an implicated lot in central Mexico.
The Taylor Farms recall announcement impacts lettuce sold under Walmart’s Marketside brand, lettuce from Sysco, the nation’s largest food distributor, lettuce from sandwich chain Subway, and Taylor Farms branded salad kits.
The recalled products were shipped as recently as Thursday and have “best by” dates as late as Aug. 3.
How many cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in Pennsylvania?
According to the most recent data, in 2026, cyclospora has sickened at least 1,645 people in the US and hospitalized 141, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is investigating more than 5,000 additional illnesses that may be linked to the parasite. The CDC said that because some people with the infection recover without needing testing, the number of actual cases is likely higher. Zero deaths have been reported.
This time last year, only 249 cases had been reported.
As many as 30 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed in Pennsylvania since May 1, with 11 cases identified in Allegheny County, 7 cases in Erie County, and 5 in Bucks County.
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, most commonly when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water. When ingested, the parasite causes intestinal illness marked by “frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC.
The illness’ main symptom is a watery, explosive diarrhea that can last anywhere from a week to a month, longer than with most gastrointestinal illnesses.
Other symptoms include cramping and bloating, fatigue, loss of appetite, and a low-grade fever. Treatment is a seven- to 10-day course of the antibiotic Bactrim, also known as Septra.
CDC officials said symptoms can appear two days to two weeks after someone is infected with the parasite.
How to reduce risk of cyclosporiasis
The CDC says the best ways to prevent cyclosporiasis include washing produce before eating it, avoiding untreated water, avoiding contact with human or animal feces, and washing your hands after using the toilet, after changing diapers and before handling food.
It remains unclear how food becomes infected with cyclospora, but so far the outbreak has been linked to raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas and mesclun lettuce, health officials say.
The CDC recommends the following food safety measures when handling fresh vegetables or produce:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.
- Fruits and vegetables that are labeled “prewashed” do not need to be washed again at home.
- Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Remove any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
Keystone senior newsletter editor Patrick Berkery contributed to this report.
