How to tell if your lettuce is safe to eat during cyclospora outbreak

Healthcare How to tell if your lettuce is safe to eat during cyclospora outbreak Comments: by Alix Martichoux - 07/21/26 7:15 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Alix Martichoux - 07/21/26 7:15 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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(NEXSTAR) – As federal health officials continue to investigate the source of the massive outbreak of cyclospora, the produce-linked parasite that causes “explosive” diarrhea and has sickened thousands of people, they’re encouraging people to check their refrigerators for potentially contaminated products.

While the Food and Drug Administration’s investigation isn’t over, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Food Donald Prater said on Monday that evidence is starting to “converge” on a primary suspect: shredded iceberg lettuce form Taylor Farms.

The FDA announced on Sunday that one sample of lettuce provided by a Taylor Farms facility in Mexico turned out to be a false positive for the parasite, but that doesn’t change the fact that the lettuce should still be avoided.

“The FDA’s traceback investigation and the outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms’ location in central Mexico,” Prater said.

Which types of lettuce are recalled and should not be eaten?

Taylor Farms announced on Friday it was recalling all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and began the process of removing it from store shelves.

However, the lettuce was for sale as recently as Thursday across dozens of states. It was also sold at Walmart stores under the Marketside brand. Some of the products’ best-by dates were as late as Aug. 3, so they may still be in your refrigerator if you haven’t tossed them out yet.

The FDA encourages people to inspect their salad and lettuce purchases from last week to make sure they aren’t sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajato, Mexico.

The following types of lettuce were sold in grocery stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia:

12-ounce and 24-ounce Iceberg Salad with best by dates between July 18 and Aug. 3
8-ounce and 16-ounce Shredded Lettuce with best by dates between July 18 and Aug. 3

If you find one of those products in your home, you should dispose of the lettuce or return it to the store where you bought it.

Thirty-three other types of lettuce have been recalled across even more states, but those products were distributed to customers across the food service industry, so they likely aren’t lurking in your home refrigerator. (The full list of recalled lettuce products is available on the FDA website.)

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warned people to stop eating shredded lettuce from Taco bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The fast food chain said in an update Friday that they were no longer using the Taylor Farms lettuce and it had all been removed from the supply chain.

Which types of lettuce are still safe to eat?

So far, the lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico is the only named source of suspicion in this parasitic outbreak. If any other potential sources of cyclospora are identified, the FDA said it would update the public.

No other types of lettuce – like romaine or butter lettuce – have been identified as suspicious, even those distributed by Taylor Farms. The company told Newsweek that other than the recalled iceberg lettuce, “no other Taylor Fresh Foods products across the country are impacted.”

Several other farmers and restaurant chains have spoken out in recent days to assure the public their greens are safe to eat.

Consumer Reports advises that locally-sourced produce, like from a farmers market, may be less risky, but any produce could theoretically be contaminated if the water source is tainted.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan, told the New York Times that she’s advising people be even more cautious right now. She recommends avoiding bagged lettuce or premade salad mixes. Bagdasarian said buying whole-head lettuce, removing the outer leaves, and washing the rest is safer.

“I think it could be premature to say that we believe this is just one product,” she said.

Health experts are still advising people to employ best practices when consuming produce, including thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables. You can also peel fruits and vegetables, when possible, or cook foods to a temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills the parasite.

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