U.S. federal officials have declared an end to a cyclospora outbreak that affected thousands of people across 21 states this year. With nearly 13,000 reported cases tied directly to the outbreak, it marks the largest such event in U.S. history. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirms all recalled iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak is now off the market, though they continue to analyze samples to determine the origin of contamination.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The CDC declared on Friday that the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting 21 states in the U.S. is officially over. Between May 1 and Tuesday, there were 12,883 laboratory-confirmed cases, leading to 570 hospitalizations and 2 deaths. The outbreak primarily affected areas in the Midwest and on the East Coast but has significantly declined as recalled products have passed their shelf life and are no longer available for purchase. Although the immediate risk is considered low, federal officials like the FDA continue to investigate how the processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, a supplier to Taco Bell, became contaminated with cyclospora, a parasite spread through human feces. The investigation aims to address lingering questions about the outbreak's origin and prevent future occurrences.
Written for “Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Ends” on 2026-09-12,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 8363 · logged 2026-09-12
U.S. federal officials declare end to cyclospora outbreak that sickened thousands in 21 states
FDA still analyzing samples in order to answer lingering questions about origins of the outbreak
The largest cyclospora food poisoning outbreak in U.S. history is over, U.S. health officials said Friday.
asserted
officials → declare → history
U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials said they are confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce related to this specific outbreak is off the market.
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lettuce → say → market
Nearly 13,000 reported cyclospora cases were tied to the multistate outbreak, federal officials say.
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officials → report → outbreak
While Canada has seen small, sporadic clusters of cyclospora cases in recent years, there were no known Canadian cases related to this specific outbreak.
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Canada → see → outbreak
Even with the outbreak deemed over, several questions remain, including about its origin.
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questions → deem → origin
The parasite is spread through human feces, and it still isn't clear how sewage could have contaminated enough food to sicken so many people.
uncertain
sewage → spread → people
"This contamination can happen if produce is grown in soil or comes into contact with water that has been contaminated," said Ellen Shumaker, director of outreach for a North Carolina State University food safety program, Safe Plates.
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Shumaker → happen → program
Since May 1, the government has received reports of nearly 20,000 lab-confirmed cases, or more than 16 times the number reported during the same period last year.
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government → receive → period
More than 6,100 suspected cases also have been reported.
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cases → suspect → ?
The worst previous year in the U.S. for infections was 2019, when about 4,700 illnesses were reported nationally.
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illnesses → report → infections
Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea "with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the CDC.
uncertain
that → cause → CDC
Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer.
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Outbreaks → tend → spring
The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is less common than foodborne illnesses caused by other germs, including salmonella and E. coli.
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illness → call → salmonella
Many cases are never linked to a specific food or other source.
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cases → link → food
This year's surge in cases was dominated by an outbreak in 21 states linked to iceberg lettuce.
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surge → dominate → lettuce
But there are thousands of other cases that have not been linked to that outbreak.
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that → be → outbreak
Michigan was the hardest hit state, with the most reported cases and the two U.S. deaths tied to the outbreak.
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Michigan → hit → outbreak
In this outbreak, investigators initially zeroed in on lettuce served at Taco Bell.
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investigators → zero → Bell
Federal officials subsequently focused on Taylor Farms as the source of the lettuce, and the company recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico.
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company → focus → Mexico
The Taylor Farms recall involved thousands of packaged salad products combining iceberg lettuce with other vegetables.
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recall → involve → vegetables
The products were shipped to major U.S. restaurant chains, including Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.
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which → ship → Bell
The FDA has ended its on-site inspections and sample collection at iceberg lettuce growers and the processing facility in Mexico, the agency said Friday.
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agency → end → Mexico
Samples from the on-site inspections are pending analysis, the FDA said.
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FDA → pende → analysis
The outbreak cast a spotlight on a worsening problem: U.S. regulators are conducting fewer international inspections to catch contaminated produce before it lands on American plates.
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it → cast → plates
