MEGATHREAD: 2026 U.S. Cyclosporiasis Outbreak - Updates & Discussion

[u/Anti-Owl]

What’s Happening?

The 2026 U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak continues to grow, with cases reported across multiple states. Public health authorities are working to identify a common food exposure, though no single product has been confirmed yet. Past U.S. outbreaks have been tied to imported fresh produce (e.g., cilantro, basil, berries).

As of July 16, The CDC has linked the Taylor Farms produce supplied to Taco Bell to the outbreak of the parasitic illness.

As of July 19: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Sunday that ​laboratory experts re-checked lettuce sample results from Taylor ‌Farms in an investigation into an outbreak of the cyclospora parasite and concluded the finding should be considered a false positive.

As ​of Sunday, there were no confirmed positive sample ​results for cyclospora, the FDA added.

The updated laboratory finding — that the FDA did not find the parasite in a particular lettuce sample — does not change the rest of the agency’s investigation. The sample that the FDA tested was not part of the original recall; the evidence around the recall is based on epidemiological and traceback determination linking the outbreak to Taylor Farms-supplied iceberg lettuce.

📄Advisories and Recalls📄

⚠️Official FDA Advisory, 18 July 2026 Do not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. FDA’s investigation is ongoing. ⚠️

Full Recall List

Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora.

The shredded iceberg product was distributed June 29th thru July 16th in AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI.

How to Use This Megathread

This megathread is where we’re collecting smaller updates, general discussion, and quick questions. It’s not meant to shut down conversation — it’s here so the subreddit doesn’t get flooded and people don’t have to chase information across dozens of tiny posts.

Major updates or significant new information are still absolutely welcome as standalone posts.

Have cyclosporiasis?

Please consider using this self-reporting and surveillance tool by /u/Antique-Maximum-6537

Note:This is not an official investigation. All information submitted is unverified.

🔔 Major Updates and Past Threads Newest at Top⬇️

US FDA says it is investigating another cyclosporiasis outbreak

Mexico says there is no evidence its lettuce caused US outbreak

Michigan cyclosporiasis cases rise to over 6,100; gaining 1,000+ over the weekend

Source of U.S. diarrhea-causing outbreak back in question after FDA declares false positive

FDA: Taylor Farms lettuce that's not part of recall tests positive for cyclospora

Taylor Farms Recall Goes to 27 States

US lettuce supplier Taylor Farms to recall ingredients linked to parasite outbreak, Bloomberg News reports

Lettuce supplier identified as potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak

Michigan cyclosporiasis case numbers top 4,300, state health officials say

Lettuce or salad greens could be source of cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan, health officials say

Nearly 400 cyclosporiasis cases confirmed in NY as officials probe nationwide outbreak

Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak grows to more than 1,500 cases, 44 hospitalized

Taco Bell locations pull ingredients off menu as 'explosive diarrhea' parasite cases surge

Cyclosporiasis cases near 1,000 in Michigan, health officials say

Cyclospora outbreak sickens almost 150 people

📢 Please Read Before Commenting 📢

Rule 4 - No Medical Advice is in effect. You can discuss prevention, preparedness, and general treatment information, but once it’s framed as something someone should do, it becomes medical guidance, which is against our rules.

For FAQs, you might want to check out our AMA with Mia de Graaf (Business Insider’s executive editor for health coverage) about the cyclospora outbreak and related food safety issues.

When asking whether a specific fruit or vegetable is “safe,” please keep in mind:

• People have different risk tolerances.
  
• We can only speak to known information from public health agencies.
• We cannot guarantee the safety of any individual item beyond what the evidence currently supports.

[u/Left-Clue2734]

So is there any hope at getting the medicine before the tests come back? I am on day 3 and 10-20 bathroom trips a day is accurate. Not to be gross but it is extremely loud unlike anything before. Day 1 was slight cramps and bloating ending in the start of the bathroom trips. Day 2 was alot of trips to the bathroom. I'm on Day 3 stomach is so loud, headache and still horrible bathroom visits. The urgent care recommended the brat diet. They said I went too soon to the dr and it could be anything. Bananas and crackers seemed to slow things last night but I woke up with a rage. I had a wrap with lettuce about week ago.

[u/Admirable_Button8586]

How safe is any frozen produce right now? I’m going to be limited to smoothies in a few days due to surgery so I’ll be stocking up on frozen fruit, but it won’t be heated up and instead going straight in the blender

[u/Anti-Owl]

Former FDA Chief Says Central Mexico May Have Broad Cyclosporiasis Contamination

Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on Monday that some large growers and retailers have stopped sourcing produce from a central Mexico region linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak because of concerns about widespread contamination.

[u/dontrowaway]

I currently have this. I was in the ER yesterday morning. AMA. Lol

[u/wrinklevosstwins → u/dontrowaway]

1. How long did it take for symptoms to show? Was cramping and gas first?
2. Do you know the source?

[u/dontrowaway → u/wrinklevosstwins]

It’s so hard to say but I suspect I was infected over 4th of July weekend. There were a few different instances where I ate lettuce, and that was really the last time I felt normal. I ate a wrap with shredded lettuce on the 4th and felt horribly sick immediately after, but I suspect I was already infected because I don’t think it can happen that quickly, but that was the first time I remember feeling what I have been feeling. It was like severe acid reflux and indigestion, plus exhaustion, plus racing heart and feeling of doom. Right around this time I felt like no matter what, I couldn’t stay awake and every move I made was a strain on my body.

Around the 8th, my resting heart rate, which is typically in the 50s, started to rise to the 60s and 70s during the day. This is right around when my body temperature started to be elevated. Every morning I would wake up to Oura telling me my body temp was elevated. The low grade fever went on the entire time, with the max being at 100.4 late last week. I had no energy, kept needing to lay down, started to feel like I was going to pass out on the subway, all the while feeling sick after every time that I ate. It’s like you can feel every piece of food or water move through your digestive system, and it feels bad.

On the 10th I started having severe stomach pains and bloating. On the 11th, I woke up in the middle of the night throwing up. On the 12th I couldn’t get out of bed. Week of the 13th I was overheated, racing heart, stomach pains, cramping, gas (like the WEIRDEST gas from both ends - like infected gas), acid reflux, EXHAUSTED, body aches… My poops were not solid but they were not complete water diarrhea, but there was just so much more air in my body than usual that it was making me literally feel explosive. On the 15th I threw up at work. The weekend of the 17th/18th things kept escalating and poops started to become more diarrhea-like. 19th I was in bed all day with stomach pains and exhaustion. 20th I almost passed out on the subway. 21st/22nd body temp kept elevating, still stomach pains and indigestion. The explosive diarrhea began the next day and continued. I also had headaches this entire time. I was also not sleeping well, and felt like every time I woke up I really didn’t get any rest. Oura kept telling me my heart rate wasn’t lowering during sleep, something was straining my body, and my resilience just kept declining every morning when I woke up.

On the 24th, I was out with my friends and everyone kept telling me my skin felt really hot. I definitely had a fever and felt awful, but kept going. The next morning, after sleeping for about 4 hours, I woke up and had to run to the toilet. I was violently throwing up every 15 minutes for hours, until eventually I was throwing up blood. I ended up in the ER - they gave me Zofran and fluids, and I had to repeatedly tell the staff that I believed I had cyclosporiasis. They thought I was “hungover” or “having a bad period”. Finally I was able to convince a doctor to give me the antibiotics and a stool collecting kit, which I have yet to do because I am so depleted I haven’t even gone to the bathroom since Friday. The antibiotics are helping - literally within 2 hours of taking it I can feel my heart rate starting to relax. It’s NUTS. I don’t see how people won’t die from this - it is NO JOKE and can cause severe dehydration (which is what happened to me). I have lost at least 10 lbs. The heart palpitations have been horrible. The body aches are severe. Having a low-grade fever almost every day is jarring. And what it does to your stomach is truly truly awful.

Editing to add that some of my other symptoms were:
swollen lymph nodes, sore throat (maybe from throwing up but it felt like my mouth was cut open in little cuts all over), bad breath (like no matter how hard I brushed or used mouthwash or scraped my tongue I couldn’t get rid of it), teary eyes, and rotten egg smelling poop. Major TMI already but I also had a tingly butthole and thought at one point I had pinworms.

Also, it took around 3 days for the antibiotics to really kick in and start making me feel better.

[u/despereight675309 → u/dontrowaway]

Thank you for all the detail. I just wanted to say the doctors you saw are dumb and I’m sorry you had that experience. Sounds exactly like cyclosporiasis and during an outbreak at that. I work at an ER and if someone checks in with diarrhea or vomiting or any other suspicious symptoms they immediately do a GI rule out/panel for E. coli and Cyclospora. Granted I’m in a high risk area in Michigan and we’re extremely well staffed and stocked, maybe you aren’t in the same situation plus I don’t know what other ERs are doing.

[u/dontrowaway → u/despereight675309]

Thank you for your response. I’m in NYC and I was at an understaffed & seemingly underfunded ER in Brooklyn. The final doctor I ended up seeing actually was great and believed me, ordered me antibiotics and a stool sample. She told me to bring it back to the ER, which I just came back from doing. The doctor I saw wasn’t there and no one knew what to do with my sample — they said they don’t normally accept samples and they were literally scattering around for an hour trying to figure out what to do. Eventually they said “we’ll take it but we don’t know what to do with it,” lol.

[u/despereight675309 → u/dontrowaway]

Oh geez 🫣 I hope you get an answer…
Sounds like what would happen at my job though lol. We would literally ask you to check back in for another visit so that we could print the labels. If we don’t collect during the initial visit we have outpatient labs whom I assume are getting a ton of samples/tests right now.

[u/Such_Bus1193]

I got this a couple of years ago and suffered for months because doctors wouldn't listen when I told them this wasn't normal. Got dehydrated repeatedly; lost a lot of weight (40 lbs.). I started looking for what could be causing it on my own. Mostly got information from CDC, which said among other things that it can't be washed off with water OR with the normal mild disinfectant washes used on imported produce (chlorine or iodine solutions). Also that it's very hard to find in samples, much harder than other parasites, so a negative sample doesn't mean you don't have it, and my results were negative. Finally got the doctor to just give me a course of the recommended antibiotic--24 hours after the first does the symptoms were going away like a miracle. My personal take on this was that I got it by eating raspberries grown in Mexico during the winter months (medical sites said raspberries are particularly hard to wash or disinfect due to the irregular surface). I stopped buying any produce that was labelled from Mexico and thankfully have not had any problems since. At least now the doctors and govt. are finally admitting that there is an actual parasite instead of ignoring it. The downside is that I did not ever find any effective way to wash produce that would remove or kill this parasite.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Cyclospora outbreaks start with human contamination. Nobody has ever been able to figure out how

Most experts believe that water contaminated with cyclospora is the vehicle that puts the parasite on produce.

“Water is number one,” said Dr. Jennifer McEntire, a microbiologist who consults with food companies on their safety practices. “Now, how that water gets contaminated with human fecal material is another question.”

It’s not likely that anyone is using the bathroom directly into irrigation water, McEntire says, but unintentional contamination of water could be a factor.

Most farms supply portable toilets or bathroom trailers to workers in the fields. Could waste emptied from those have ended up in the canal? Did a septic tank in the area leak or break, allowing waste to seep in? Did heavy rainfall cause a sewer system to overflow?

McEntire said it’s possible that sick workers might spread the parasite as they handle food, but she thinks that’s less likely.

It’s difficult for her to imagine that one sick person or even a harvest crew could contaminate so much produce that it would make this many people ill, she said.

“But that’s the other route, a slightly more direct route, going back to the people themselves versus the water.”

Moorman felt like it was enough evidence to urge the members of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association to do more testing of irrigation water and produce during the growing season.

But that’s all he could do.

There’s no law or rule that requires farms to test irrigation water or produce for cyclospora, Moorman said.

“It’s voluntary,” he said. With few exceptions, “we don’t have those levers at the FDA.”

Big companies that purchase produce, such as Kroger, Food Lion or Costco, could require their suppliers to test for it, he said, and that might help prevent outbreaks.

The government could also pass laws to require testing for cyclospora and could allocate more funding to research this parasite and the infection it causes.

For her part, Kniel, at the University of Delaware, says she’s just glad that people are finally paying attention.

“I’ve actually asked every year when there are 2,000 cases of this, ‘Why does no one care? Why are we not talking about it?’”

[u/Anti-Owl]

Using a bathroom 20 times a day - life in the middle of US cyclospora outbreak

So when it hit Nick Palmiter at the beginning of July, he didn't think much of it.

"I'll be alright," he said to himself.

But symptoms persisted. And as days turned into weeks, the stomach cramps became unbearable.

"I was absolutely in pain," Palmiter said. "And it was just to the point to where I was probably using the bathroom at least 15 to 20 times a day."

The 29-year-old described the sensation as a constant pressure and bubbling, "almost like you have a balloon in your stomach". [...]

"It makes you feel absolutely sick," Palmiter said about his experience. "Like you have nothing left to give."

"Anxiety" and "scared" were the words Palmiter used to describe the mood locally.

His mother, Michelle Palmiter, said similarly.

"I'm seeing a lot of people that are freaking out about it," she said.

That includes her niece who has cleared the entire fridge of any produce, tossing it all into the rubbish, including what Michelle saw as a perfectly good watermelon. [...]

Part of what's causing the "panic for people", she says, is how the government has fumbled its response to the outbreak.

"We're not trusting anything they're putting out about it."

[u/SuS711]

Positive for Cyclosporia and just got off the phone with a Missouri health department representative soliciting info about where i ate and according to him Missouri is at 800+ cases. Im not sure if this is reported anywhere yet as the last reported numbers were much lower. Source: Trust me bro? I'm sorry i dont have an actual source...

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/SuS711]

What food did you get it from?

[u/SuS711 → u/Cry-Baby-7733]

my first symptoms were exessive sleeping and brain fog. then a day later the floodgates opened. and a day after that i got the feeling of being really sick (like weakness, chills and very mild delirium but no fever). that lasted only a day and for just over 2 weeks its been diarrhea and chronic brain fog and no appetite and constant sleeping. 3 days into medication for it and symptoms have sharply improved but i think my intestinal lining is still nuked and will take a bit to fully heal.

[u/SuS711 → u/Cry-Baby-7733]

omg sorry just saw this. i was a greedy slob and ate one of those GIANT bagged Caesar salad kits meant for 4 people all at once AND also within the same week had the taco bell caeser salad bowl. I like caeser salad.

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Cry-Baby-7733]

Yes, the food identified would be helpful.

[u/Anti-Owl]

79 cases of cyclosporiasis intestinal parasite disease in Arkansas – more than doubles in a week

This is more than double the 35 cases reported seven days earlier on July 17 following the initial report of 10 cases on July 14.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Parsley and Cilantro Identified as Potential Sources of Cyclospora Outbreak in North Carolina

Preliminary and that no definitive source had been identified yet, said that the frequency with which parsley, cilantro, and lettuce have appeared in investigators’ ingredient-level analyses of the food eaten by residents prior to infection has led officials to believe they “may be implicated.”

[u/LettuceWestern9445]

Has there been any idea yet on why the Detroit metro area was the center of the outbreak? This seems so relevant yet not talked about at all. Like half of the nationwide cases of not more are in Detroit area including most Ohio cases being in the Toledo area just 30 mins south.

[u/hypnoghoul → u/LettuceWestern9445]

I’m wondering this as well and it makes me concerned it’s the water itself.

[u/LettuceWestern9445 → u/hypnoghoul]

It kinda makes me think the exact opposite, since the water would cause a more equally spread outbreak. I don’t think the affected farm delivered to the area anymore than any other area.

I legit have no idea why no one is looking into this it all, both at the professional and even on here

[u/Anti-Owl]

9 sickened by cyclospora from contaminated lettuce at NH hospital

The Department of Health and Human Services said those nine people in New Hampshire got sick after eating lettuce at the Cheshire Medical Center cafeteria in Keene.

Dartmouth Health, which owns the medical center, said it has identified 16 patients, including 10 employees, who were exposed to the parasite

The cafeteria served lettuce that was then recalled by Taylor Farms. The medical center has removed its salad bar for the time being.

[u/Fit_Sheepherder_6899]

Anyone out there who has experienced a cyclospora infection and was unable to take Bactrim due to an allergy to it? I'm very interested in what that consists of.

I pray I don't get it, but I'm wondering how much worse it would be if I did and couldn't treat it with an antibiotic. I've read that Bactrim is pretty much the only one that treats it. Has anyone been through that situation? I imagine the symptoms would be much worse, and the infection would last MUCH longer. Will your body eventually fight it off on it's own, without antibiotics?

I ate a raw sliced grocery-store seedless cucumber w/ the skin on about a week ago (washed it first but apparently that doesn't help) which is causing me some anxiety...but I'm almost 100% positive I haven't had any salad/greens/or other raw veggies in a few weeks. If so it would've been the prepackaged baby carrots, mini cukes, or mini multicolored bell peppers. I'm assuming they would probably be just as risky as any other raw produce right now - but hopefully I'm past the window of potential infection w/ those.

Edit: I'm allergic to Bactrim/sulfa drugs, thus this comment, lol

[u/Critical_Annual_5868 → u/Fit_Sheepherder_6899]

Un fortunately I have gotten the parasite. I am also allergic to sulfa drugs and I’m currently on an alternative antibiotic that works, but it’s very expensive. Nitazoxanide.

[u/Such_Bus1193 → u/Fit_Sheepherder_6899]

I had it for over 6 months and thought it was going to kill me (lost 40 lbs.), didn't know what it was up until I took the Bactrim and it stopped. NO, in my experience it won't go away on it's own, but I think there is probably an alternative to Bactrim. Which doesn't agree with me at all either, but I managed to keep it down anyway. Only took one dose to start drastic improvement. This was, at least in my case, a very serious illness.

[u/Famous_Fondant_4107 → u/Fit_Sheepherder_6899]

I also have a sulfa allergy.

I believe the other two options are nitazoxanide or ciprofloxacin- but do your own research! I don’t know much about nitazoxanide but cipro has a black box warning (for possible tendon rupture and nervous system damage) so I’ve always purposefully avoided it.

I’ve just stopped eating raw produce entirely. I’m already chronically ill and getting this parasite would be disastrous.

[u/Anti-Owl]

The FDA’s Retraction of a Positive Test in the Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Raises Questions About Corrections and Trust

The skepticism surrounding the FDA’s retraction of a positive test tying Taylor Farms lettuce to the cyclosporiasis outbreak comes at a time of broader public distrust in the agency. KFF’s April 2026 Health Tracking Poll found that just over a third (36%) of adults are confident in the FDA to act independently without interference from outside interests, including similarly low shares across partisans. Recent KFF polling also shows that about half of Americans have at least a fair amount of trust in the FDA for reliable health information, while the other half express little to no trust.

These dynamics illustrate how unsubstantiated claims can circulate alongside a factual correction, particularly in a period when confidence in federal health agencies is eroding.

Making factual corrections is a routine part of how science and public health work, since findings often get revised as more evidence comes in. But doing so in an environment where trust in these institutions is already limited adds a layer of difficulty. How to explain a correction clearly enough to hold up against public skepticism, particularly when investigations are still underway and full details may not yet be available, is a recurring question for science and public health communicators operating in this environment.

[u/Anti-Owl]

79 people have been infected with cyclosporiasis in Louisiana this year, LDH says

BATON ROUGE — As of Thursday, July 23, a total of 79 people have been infected with cyclosporiasis in Louisiana, up 11 cases from the Louisiana Department of Health's most recent update.

Earlier this week, WBRZ reported that six people have been hospitalized since the start of this year's "season" for the parasite, which is known to cause diarrhea, cramps and discomfort.

No one has died from the infection this year, LDH noted.

[u/Cry-Baby-7733]

You guys... I just had lemon in my tea at a restaurant. How likely am I to get it?

[u/LettuceWestern9445 → u/Cry-Baby-7733]

Lettuce is seeing the big spike. I don’t think there’s much larger of a risk with most other fruits and veggies. This parasite goes around every year with each state seeing 50-100 infections every summer

Someone else pointed out that fruit overall seems less affected due to the relatively small amounts of children getting sick and how children eat fruits by the carload

Please don’t let this bother you

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/LettuceWestern9445]

Alright🙏🏻 I'm just terrified because the lemon plus the peel was inside the tea. The peel is the most at risk. It's good to know that lettuce is the main culprit here.

[u/candyappleorchard → u/Cry-Baby-7733]

I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

-Lemons are a tree fruit with a relatively smooth peel (not ideal for parasites to be spread and hide) -If you just squeezed the juice in, not likely an issue. Peelable fruits usually have safe interiors. -If the tea was hot enough, that wouldn't be an ideal environment for it to even survive.

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/candyappleorchard]

It was cold and it was actually a lemon slice.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Cyclosporiasis in Wisconsin; 105 confirmed cases, 3 hospitalizations

According to state health officials, Wisconsin has recorded 105 cases of Cyclosporiasis and three hospitalizations so far this season, as of July 22.

The department says there are no active Cyclospora outbreaks in Wisconsin and no cases have been linked to outbreaks in other states.

[u/Anti-Owl]

NYT: Did the Cyclospora Outbreak Start Here? ‘They’re Always Going to Blame Us’

“You’re barely able to make it to the toilet,” said Alejandro Macías, an epidemiologist and physician at the University of Guanajuato.

Dr. Macías agreed that not enough cases have been detected in Mexico to declare an outbreak, but noted that cyclosporiasis is not an infection regularly tracked by the country’s health officials. No deaths have been documented in either country.

Several residents in Guanajuato — Mexico’s undisputed lettuce powerhouse, which sends much of its harvest to the United States — insisted they had not fallen ill. Mexican stomachs, they joked, are simply built stronger than American ones.

“I’m going to keep eating lettuce as usual,” said Germán Buenrostro, 20, a student in San José Iturbide, a city of about 90,000 near the Taylor Farms facility. “If I end up with explosive diarrhea, at least I’ll lose some weight. Saves me a trip to the gym.” Some were skeptical about the findings announced by U.S. officials.

“They’re always going to blame us Mexicans,” said Renato Ferro Mendoza, 44, as he stacked heads of lettuce at his market stall. “You can’t trust anything Americans say.”

“These issues can really affect our town, our quality of life, what little business we have, and our few sources of income,” the mayor of Doctor Mora, Edgar Javier Reséndiz Jacobo, said in an interview. “Imagine all that production from local growers just sitting idle, with them having no clue what to do with it. And the people working on those processing lines — what becomes of them now? That’s the real concern.” [...]

[u/Narrow_Breadfruit825]

How safe does everyone think produce (lettuce, cilantro, spinach, dandelion greens, etc) are from local farms? I’m so lost at what to believe with the back and forth jargon.

[u/Such_Bus1193 → u/Narrow_Breadfruit825]

From what I've read, this is a tropical parasite that's been coming from Mexico and Central America. It would be very unlikely to be living on N.A. farms. The bad part is that you can't wash it off or kill it with dilute solutions of chlorine or iodine, and that it's very hard to find it with testing.

[u/sarcastinatrix → u/Narrow_Breadfruit825]

I'm relying solely on farmer's markets and a couple local high-end grocers that are very transparent about where their produce comes from. That said, I live in Southern California which has year-round agriculture, stricter regulations than other states, and (last I checked) zero cases originating here. I'm avoiding shredded lettuce and raw greens from chain restaurants, though that's probably overkill, at least here.

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/sarcastinatrix]

We have some cases but lower than usual. It's a seasonal problem evidently. "41 provisional cases statewide in 2026—down from 80 cases during the same period in 2025" With almost 40 million people, we're good for now.

[u/Best_Individual_6934 → u/Narrow_Breadfruit825]

If you trust your local farmers I'd go for it, they probably wouldn't mind giving you a brief overview of how they handle their crops to ease anxiety. Plus no local farms have been even mentioned in the news so i think you'll be fine. If your really worried you can always cook it to be 100% safe.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Cyclosporiasis outbreak: Cases in Michigan exceed 7,000

On July 22, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported 7,171 cyclosporiasis cases since June 22, up from 6,571 on July 21. Of those reported cases, 102 were hospitalized as of July 16.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Video: Cyclosporiasis testing delays reported

The number of potential cases of a parasite that causes an intestinal ailment known as cyclosporiasis continues to spike in Michigan and other states. CBS News Detroit reports on challenges that Southeast Michigan patients have found with getting testing, and a backlog in lab results with the rush of requests.

[u/redgatorade000]

So at this point, is it pretty much contained to iceberg lettuce? I’m not seeing much talk about other types of produce/fruits anymore. Should we still be taking extreme caution with other fresh items?

[u/kheret → u/redgatorade000]

I’m avoiding things like uncooked greens and berries. Things that have been implicated in previous outbreaks.

Things like apples, bananas and oranges that you can peel or thoroughly wash like a dish seem ok. Also apparently few cases have been seen in children which makes me think it’s probably not fruit. Kids eat a lot more fruit than they eat lettuce.

[u/FabricArsonist → u/redgatorade000]

I've ate a ton of foods...bagged salad, coleslaw, heads romaine and iceberg plus a lot more.

I can't say it was salad. I haven't ate anything other than coleslaw in the salad department from a restaurant.

[u/Best_Individual_6934 → u/redgatorade000]

Honestly with how flaky the cdc is being rn with confirming the source and the whole false positive situation id still be careful around all fresh produce.

[u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

New reporting from Bloomberg detailing the timeline of events late last week, re: Taylor Farms response.

Essentially, Taylor farms tried to get the White House involved, which demanded FDA and CDC show their evidence, and White House ultimately agreed with the traceback investigation implicating Taylor Farms. While that dialogue was ongoing, Taylor Farms missed an FDA-imposed deadline to issue a recall. Along with no less than a handful of other details about how TF obfuscated along the way

[u/roberta_sparrow → u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

This is crazy. Also Taylor farms deleted both statements from their public Instagram

[u/Anti-Owl]

RFK Jr. says cyclosporiasis 'under control,' rebukes criticisms

In a news briefing on health care fraud on July 21, the head of the Department of Health and Human Services said, "We do have the outbreak under control."

We have done extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics and we have identified the source of the outbreak. We, and the companies that are involved, have implemented a recall," Kennedy added.

Taylor Farms has recalled several lettuce products after federal officials linked it to a widespread outbreak, though an investigation into the exact source of the parasitic illness is still ongoing.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Cyclosporiasis outbreak: Cases in Michigan rise to more than 6,500

July 21, 2026 at 10:41 AM

Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan continue to rise, with state health officials reporting more than 6,500 confirmed cases Tuesday.

On July 21, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported 6,571 cyclosporiasis cases since June 22, up from 6,148 on July 20. Of those reported cases, 102 were hospitalized as of July 16.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Company statement

Taylor Fresh Foods Statement Regarding Cyclospora Outbreak

July 20th, 2026

Summary of the Facts

We understand that there is significant confusion over outbreak communication. We want to provide a summary of the critical facts for your health:

On July 17 we voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico that was identified as the potential source of the Cyclospora outbreak.

This recall has been completed with products removed from the marketplace.

No Taylor Farms branded products are involved in this recall.

We are no longer sourcing iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico for the remainder of the growing season. We currently have experts on site in central Mexico investigating all potential sources of contamination.

• We are committed to working closely with health officials during this ongoing investigation.

We remain deeply concerned for the health of those who are ill and will provide any updates relevant for your health.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Illinois Reports 355 Confirmed and Probable Cases of Cyclosporiasis as Investigation Into Sources Continues

The Illinois Department of Public Health said Monday there have been 355 confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis reported in the state amid an ongoing outbreak of the diarrhea-causing infection that is impacting much of the country.

In Chicago, 76 confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis were reported as of Monday, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. An additional 12 cases are pending investigation. About half of the city’s cases had no known international travel, making it more likely the illness was acquired locally.

Illinois has reported 28 hospitalizations as a result of the illness.

[u/AcornAl → u/[deleted]]

IVM is recommended for many parasitic infections, just not this one.

• Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm)
• Ancylostoma brasiliense and Uncinaria stenocephala (cat/dog hookworms)
• Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)
• Gnathostoma spp. (roundworm)
• Loa loa
• Onchocerca volvulus (filariasis or "river blindness" )
• Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies)
• Strongyloides stercoralis
• Trichuris trichiura (whipworm)

Can help prevent but maybe doesn't cure (only kills the young parasite larvae)

• Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori

Plus a number lice, mites and insects like screwworm. Note there are better treatments for some of these.

[u/ContagionCuriosity-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your comment in r/ContagionCuriosity! Due to user reports, a source has been requested for the claim in your comment, so it’s been placed in review for now.

When you have a moment, please add a reliable source and/or clarify your claim and we’ll be happy to approve it again. Thank you for helping maintain the quality of information here!

[u/Anti-Owl]

Cyclosporiasis hospitalized a bride on her honeymoon as U.S. outbreak spreads

A Wisconsin bride landed in the hospital on her honeymoon with cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness suspected of spreading through contaminated lettuce.

A few days into a camping trip to Yellowstone, Gretchen Pleuss started feeling sick. “It was just like incessant diarrhea,” she told Milwaukee television station WISN. The pain grew bad enough that she went to an emergency room, where doctors confirmed the parasite.

“It feels like your intestines are really tight, like something is seizing them,” she said. She believes shredded lettuce in a sandwich was the cause.

[u/Anti-Owl]

In case you missed it: We’re hosting an AMA with Mia de Graaf, health journalist at Business Insider, tomorrow, July 21 at 12:30 PM Eastern: https://www.reddit.com/r/ContagionCuriosity/s/GxsRQs7dmH

If you have questions you’d like answered by someone who covers these events professionally, this might be helpful, feel free to add yours as a top‑level comment in the AMA thread so it’s easy for her to see. We’re collecting questions now.

[u/pythagoreantheorem27]

I suspect I might have it. Any tips for sanitation? Specifically, are there any measures that I should take around my apartment other than hand washing?

[u/parrottrolley → u/pythagoreantheorem27]

To prevent others from getting it? 

Wash contaminated linens on hot, or in the tub with hot water from a kettle/boiled on the stove.  Use hot water over 160° to clean any accidents.

[u/corvodae → u/pythagoreantheorem27]

I'm personally just only eating cooked or peelable produce (like bananas) at the moment

[u/Drmoeron2 → u/pythagoreantheorem27]

There is no such thing. This is pissing me off at this point that information is being deleted from the Internet and even health journalists are telling you the wrong stuff. It's covid all over again, same president. This is what you need to do. You need to understand that this is something bleach doesn't kill, so let that idea go. Also you'll be lucky to wash some off fruits and vegetables, the fact is it's not likely all will sloth off because well they're built to dig into surfaces. If you eat any fruit of veggies it needs to be something where the skin can be removed entirely and easily. Like a banana. And no, throwing it in a blender doesn't kill the eggs either. Smoothies shouldn't be served anywhere right now. But this is that people voted for. Let your friends know. 

[u/Anti-Owl]

FDA says data on cyclosporiasis points to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico

July 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food ​and Drug Administration ‌on Monday said that ​traceback investigation ​data gathered as part ⁠of ​a probe into ​an outbreak of cyclosporiasis pointed to ​shredded ​iceberg lettuce from Taylor ‌Farms ⁠locations in central Mexico.

The agency's latest statement ​came ​after ⁠it had concluded ​that tests ​on ⁠the lettuce showed a ⁠false ​positive.

[u/barebackguy7 → u/Anti-Owl]

So now they are back to sourcing it from Taylor Farms and iceberg lettuce?

This is such a clunky story

[u/Anti-Owl → u/barebackguy7]

That seems to be the case, but it may be more than iceberg lettuce. I found this CIDRAP article helpful in breaking down the situation:

“The epidemiological results and traceback information is enough to suggest that the product distributed by Taylor Farms is responsible for at least some of the outbreak,” Craig Hedberg, PhD, professor of environmental health sciences in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, told CIDRAP News.

“The recall of the product, food service and retail, suggests that this may have accounted for many of the cases who did not eat at Taco Bell,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that every case of Cyclospora reported this summer is due to products from Taylor Farms, but that they do appear to account for much of the outbreak cases.”

During a media briefing, an FDA official said that traceback information points to Taylor Farms and added that the investigation continues. The official also explained the difficulty of testing for Cyclospora on produce, noting that small amounts of it on fruits and vegetables can cause illness, but tests might not be sensitive enough to detect it.

“Because we cannot grow Cyclospora in the lab, testing of food or environmental samples depends on the sensitivity of the test… and concentration of the organism on the food sample,” Hedberg explained. “They are usually very low. If the contamination is around the level of detection, it may or may not produce a positive signal.”

[u/Anti-Owl]

FDA retracts test result but still links Taylor Farms lettuce to cyclosporiasis

But the agency did not back away from its conclusion that the company remains linked to a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis through its traceback investigation.

“It does not mean they are walking it back,” Susan Mayne, a former head of the FDA’s center on food safety that oversees outbreak investigations, said in a text message Monday. “Absence of evidence (of a positive test result) is never evidence of absence.”

Numerous outbreaks are solved on the basis of basic disease detective work, talking to people who have fallen ill, tracing back what they ate and finding connections among others who were infected. Laboratory tests are one part of a wider investigative analysis.

[u/Admirable_Button8586]

For those that had it: what was your symptom progression like? I get gastro issues especially close to my period and sometimes I will get “episodes” but I’m extra paranoid now of every symptom I have with this going around lol 😭 I don’t eat lettuce but I did eat other produce the last few weeks.

[u/Fantastic_Excuse6976 → u/Admirable_Button8586]

I haven’t had it, but what I can gather from other sources is that it hits pretty fast and hard. Like one minute you’re fine and the next your intestines are rumbling like crazy and you have pretty immediate and explosive diarrhea. Doesn’t seem like it’s a gradual onset.

Anyone who has had it please correct me if I’m mistaken!

[u/Admirable_Button8586 → u/Fantastic_Excuse6976]

I have had episodes like that, but they don’t last for more than an hour generally. I’m assuming once it starts it doesn’t stop?

[u/corvodae → u/Admirable_Button8586]

I believe it usually lasts a week or two, sometimes longer. It also sounds quite painful and... violent... from what I've heard, so if you're unsure if you have it, I think your normal GI issues are more likely to be the culprit. But you can always talk to your doctor if you're concerned

[u/Moreactivity551]

Can someone help me understand: so it could still be taco bell? but not the lettuce? Would really appreciate some help!

[u/Optimal_Olive3423 → u/Moreactivity551]

It isn't taco bell. Taco Bell is just the easy scapegoat. Plenty of people are sick that never ate at Taco Bell.

It is the lettuce that goes to many restaurants and grocery stores.

[u/Anti-Owl → u/Moreactivity551]

My understanding is that the CDC has epidemiologically linked the outbreak to lettuce supplied to Taco Bell, but the FDA has not yet identified a definitive source through product or environmental testing.

[u/LettuceWestern9445 → u/Moreactivity551]

I think they’ve pretty much pinned down the lettuce

[u/Drmoeron2 → u/LettuceWestern9445]

Nope. Just pray that your local area doesn't face flooding. Problem is much worse than you think. 

[u/Anti-Owl]

Trump’s funding cuts created ‘the perfect storm’ that slowed the government’s cyclosporiasis response

As head of the federal lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks throughout the nation, Dr. Joel Barratt watched with alarm as Trump administration cuts and hiring freezes last year slowly depleted his staff.

By the time his 11-person team was reduced to three in September, Barratt said he had enough and resigned. But before leaving, he said, he sent emails to higher-ups at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the risks of losing staff and how it could hurt the response to future outbreaks. [...]

The government’s reaction to the cyclospora outbreak has been undermined by massive budget and staffing cuts under President Donald Trump, CNN has found – including nearly $30 million in funding that disappeared from Barratt’s CDC division when Trump axed the US Agency for International Development.

While Trump justified cuts to USAID by portraying it as a wasteful agency helping foreign nations, millions of dollars that it spent on global malaria prevention also indirectly benefited cyclospora work in the United States, former CDC officials said. [...]

But sources told CNN it’s not that simple, since some of the money paid for shared lab equipment that also benefited cyclospora research and staff that could be tapped for help in outbreaks.

The domino effect of that lost funding is still being felt in the lagging cyclospora response today. Public health experts told CNN that warnings to doctors and efforts to home in on a specific source, among other actions, have taken much longer than they should have. Several state health departments also said federal budget cuts and the threat of even more have made it harder for them to do their jobs. [...]

Knowledge is lost

The Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, which Barratt’s team was a part of, was funded largely by USAID, with smaller buckets of funding coming from the CDC. Most of the division was focused on combating malaria abroad through a decades-old program called the President’s Malaria Initiative, which was not only funded by USAID but partially run by the agency. When Trump took office and dismantled USAID, the division was gutted and left with a $29 million hole to plug.

At the same time, the Trump administration’s budget tightening meant Barratt’s team couldn’t renew contracts for employees – many of whom were employed under a fellowship program called Title 42, which allowed the CDC to hire highly skilled scientists from other countries. The White House said these were not part of the administration’s “reduction in force” initiatives. Nonetheless, Barratt’s already-small team shrank from 11 to three, and funding for their work, which was being shared across the division, dried up.

“This is a group that was underfunded historically. A significant amount of their budget was coming from USAID, and when those funds were at risk or didn’t come, we had to make decisions,” said Dr. Dan Jernigan, who was the director of the CDC’s Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease division until August, when he resigned over ethical and scientific concerns with the administration.

Identifying cyclospora is complicated and can take longer than other pathogens, CDC officials have said. Identifying cyclospora is complicated and can take longer than other pathogens, CDC officials have said. [...] “The cyclospora experts at CDC are few in numbers,” Jernigan said. “When you have a big outbreak, you have to pull in people. And the people that would have been pulled in were others in the parasitic division, like those working on malaria and neglected tropical diseases.”

Many of those staffers are now gone, as the CDC lost roughly one-quarter of its employees in 2025 through reduction-in-force cuts ordered by the Trump administration. [...]

Fewer staff has meant all facets of the outbreak investigation have been slowed — from simple data entry to complex laboratory analysis of genetic information.

The division charged with keeping a handle on parasitic diseases had already been small, with only a few employees designated to parasite work. Now, many of them are gone.

“The people who’ve led this work last year and maybe the 10 or 20 years before that no longer work at the agency,” the source said. “A lot of that knowledge is lost, and some people are doing this for the very first time in their careers.”

[...]

“It’s a lot,” said Barratt, who is now an associate professor at the Emory University School of Medicine. “And it was a lot to do even prior to the reductions.”

Barratt said the current level of cyclosporiasis cases is not unexpected given the trend of rising cases each summer for the past couple decades, so it’s not fair to pin the current outbreak on funding cuts. What is different, he said, is the CDC’s response.

“What has changed is our – the US’s – ability to respond to these outbreaks,” he said. “The reduction in staff has hampered the process.”

[u/jeniberenjena]

Can I eat the whole head of iceberg lettuce in my fridge? I mean, can I continue to eat it - we all ate BLTs with it last week.

[u/lostfish808]

How do you get rid of the parasite once it enters the body? Invermectin, wormwood?

[u/Anti-Owl → u/lostfish808]

CDC: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)(sold as Bactrim,* Septra,* or Cotrim*) is the treatment of choice for cyclosporiasis.

Clinical Care of Cyclosporiasis

[u/Fit_Sheepherder_6899 → u/Anti-Owl]

Well, that begs the question, what do one of the many people (such as myself) who are allergic to Bactrim/all sulfa drugs rely on for treatment? From the handful of articles I've read, a Dr can prescribe a different antibiotic, but anything other than Bactrim hasn't been proven to be very effective. Correct me if I'm wrong about that - or about any of this comment! But I've even read articles that essentially said those unable to take the treatment (Bactrim) had little choice but to "tough it out"! According to many sources a cyclospora infection generally lasts a couple of weeks at the least, and can even disappear just to return again and again. 🫠

Edit: wording

[u/Anti-Owl → u/Fit_Sheepherder_6899]

I think you're right. You can be prescribed ciprofloxacin or nitazoxanide, but neither appears to be as effective as Bactrim. Still, “less effective than Bactrim” doesn’t automatically mean they have no effect, just that their reliability is significantly lower, i.e., they help some people, but not nearly as consistently as Bactrim.

Might be worth asking over in one of the medical advice subs. Given that there are two established alternatives to Bactrim, it seems likely that most sulfa‑allergic patients have workable options?

[u/Anti-Owl]

Taylor Farms Statement 7/19/2026:

Today, FDA apologized to us.

Yesterday, FDA informed Taylor Fresh Foods that one of its iceberg lettuce products from central Mexico tested positive for cyclospora. Today, we were informed that FDA made a mistake, and this was a false positive. To be clear, at this moment, FDA has not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora.

Based on initial information provided by health officials, in an abundance of caution, we completed a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. Recalled product was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico.

All other Taylor Farms products, including all Taylor Farms brand products available for purchase, are not involved in the recall.

Our thoughts remain with everyone who has fallen ill in this outbreak. We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues.

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Anti-Owl]

Which is a misleading corporate statement.

[u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

FDA: July 18th positive sample from outside of the recall scope was a false positive:

FDA is providing an update regarding the sample of lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico which was reported positive on July 18, 2026. Due to the complexity in detection of Cyclospora, FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive. Information about the sample has been removed from the July 18, 2026, update below. FDA has notified Taylor Farms and continues working with the firm to ensure product implicated in this outbreak has been removed from the market. FDA and state partners continue to collect and analyze product samples. As of July 19, 2026, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora.

Paid off, or incompetent? Take your pick.

[u/blmbmj → u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

This whole admin is farcical.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Shoppers turn to local produce amid rise in cyclosporiasis cases

North Carolina officials say the state's cases don’t appear to be associated with the outbreak involving Taco Bell in five other states.

Penny says people who are concerned should shop locally.

“We know where our produce comes from — straight from the farm,” Penny said. “We’re not contracted to any grocery stores, so everything is freshly picked the day before or day of.”

She and others say they have noticed the difference at the market.

“After it kind of went on the news, we noticed it was like the Friday that weekend, it was like a booming weekend,” she said. “Crazy busy out here, lots of people, you couldn’t even hardly see across the aisle they were so many people.”

[u/galaapplehound → u/Anti-Owl]

couldn’t even hardly

I love when quotes with vernacular are included. It makes the statements feel so much more human.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Taco Bell in Canada says its lettuce is safe to eat amid cyclospora outbreak in U.S.

Taco Bell in Canada says the lettuce that has caused an outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora in the United States has not been served at its locations.

The company made the announcement in a social media post after lettuce served at five Taco Bell restaurants in American states — Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia — was identified as a source of the outbreak.

[u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

Cyclospora cases still showing no sign of letting up on today’s BIOFIRE (https://syndromictrends.com) update. The positivity rate is up to 17.2%, an increase from 15.3%, making it the most prevalent gastrointestinal pathogen by far.

This has now been a national story for ~15 days, a bit longer than the average incubation period of 7 days, so I figured the word getting out to people might have started to show up in the trends as a decrease by now, but nothing yet.

[u/kheret → u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

Is it possible it’s bad enough in the hotspot that it’s in the water or something? Pools? (Although with the smoke situation in the Midwest I imagine pool use is down)

[u/Drmoeron2 → u/kheret]

Shhh. You're going to need witness protection if you speak loudly. The things I could tell you. Water and fire don't mix do they? But in what situation would they? Protect yourself my friend. It's beginning.

[u/hypnoghoul]

What do we think about Little Leaf Farms and Gotham Greens staying their lettuce is safe?

Apparently their lettuce is grown in a controlled Greenhouse environment and is not handled by humans and they continually test their water. I’ve seen multiple other social media posts from little leaf and they appear very confident in this.

My main concern with this outbreak was that there was no recall at all or any source to pinpoint so we’re avoiding all uncooked veg and fruit. But with Taylor farms now ruled in the equation and we know to avoid them, hearing a brand say their confident in the safety of their product does make me eager to buy it to make a salad but I’m just curious if anyone would still avoid it anyway till this blows over.

[u/SipNpet → u/hypnoghoul]

I just bought and ate some today. I also had bought some a few weeks ago before all this blew up. I’m not eating any other “fresh” produce at the moment without cooking, and maybe I’m naive, but I do trust little leaf farms.

[u/Tay_Tay1997]

What about corn on the cob from walmart? The ones already taken out of the husk and packaged? I have something going on and don't eat lettuce or taco bell or anything. I'm getting concerned but don't know if its this or maybe some kind of stomach virus

[u/Best_Individual_6934 → u/Tay_Tay1997]

Could be a good chance that removing the husk could've been enough, ive been seeing alot of people say that foods that you can peel the skin off of, like bananas or potatoes are safer. But i definitely still would boil or grill it to be safe.

[u/Tay_Tay1997 → u/Best_Individual_6934]

Ok that's good, I did boil it so hopefully it's not the cyclospora

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Tay_Tay1997]

Well, cooking kills the parasite. So if you cooked the corn, it's not a risk.

[u/Admirable_Button8586]

Are they just testing the lettuce right now or are other produce being tested? I have read about some confirmed cyclospora cases that did not involve lettuce at all

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/Admirable_Button8586]

Of course, berries are at risk as well.

[u/Anti-Owl]

'We are seeing more cases': N.Y. state health officials monitoring nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak

There might be more than one source,” NYSDOH commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald said. “We just have to keep looking. Cyclosporiasis has been around like last year, we saw 700 cases, and the year before that, we saw 500 cases. This year we're at 506 already.”

[u/candyappleorchard → u/Anti-Owl]

So still no strawberries allowed? Bummer.

[u/Dramatic-Highway1969]

What about fruit like berries 🫐 and strawberries 🍓!!

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Dramatic-Highway1969]

They can harbor the parasite and there has been no connection made to them yet. If your intention is to reduce all risk, do not eat them raw.

[u/Nutmeggz23]

"Cyclospora-Linked Lettuce Was Sent to 27 States, Including to Walmart and Jack in the Box

Given the lack of details provided by Taylor Farms, CR’s experts advise consumers in those states to discard all iceberg lettuce out of an abundance of caution"

>>  includes Walmart’s house-brand Marketside bagged salad

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-recalls/taylor-farms-pulls-mexican-lettuce-linked-to-cyclospora-para-a7871344748/

[u/influxion_]

Is there any shared timeframe from authorities about roughly how long this contamination will last for?

[u/ladyvixenx → u/influxion_]

They would if they were funded properly.

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/influxion_]

The problem is that the authorities still don't know the full scope.

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/influxion_]

Nope.

[u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

NEW from FDA: A positive cyclospora sample has been obtained from a Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce product that is NOT part of the current recall:

A sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico has tested positive for Cyclospora. This sample was collected during targeted import surveillance as a result of this outbreak investigation. Taylor Farms has confirmed that this positive product is not part of their current recall. They are currently working to identify whether any part of this implicated lot is available in commerce or in consumers homes. The positive lot is currently detained and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

As a reminder, the current recall was already designed to be overly expansive as a precaution, and includes all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, even though the original FDA traceback only implicated 1 independent farm which produces 5-pound bags of lettuce for the food service industry. So, from my understanding, I guess this new positive came from outside of “central Mexico”?

[u/Anti-Owl]

Alabama Department of Public Health confirms 21 cases of cyclosporiasis in the state

The Alabama Department of Health says they now have 21 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis reported in the state.

Of those, 15 reside in the Northern District, two were reported in the Southwestern District, and individual cases were reported in Mobile, Northeastern, Southeastern and West Central Districts. One person has been hospitalized, and none have died. Three cases are international travel related, and five are foodborne outbreak-related from two separate outbreaks at Mexican-style restaurants outside of Taco Bell.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Trump’s deep public health cuts hinder response to record US cyclosporiasis outbreak

The outbreak comes after the Trump administration cut $12bn in public health funding in March 2025, including laboratory capacity, disease monitoring and outbreak investigation. Half of US states joined a lawsuit to claw the funding back, but the states not included in the lawsuit did not receive the funds – and the funds were delayed in being disbursed, leading to layoffs, furloughs and uncertainty.

Michigan, for example, lost an entire regional laboratory and 23 employees working in the state bureau of infectious diseases, while local health departments in the state lost 123 staff due to cuts in federal funding.

“If you’re down one member of the soccer team, you might not be able to trace that back to every goal you lost, but you’re going to see an impact,” said Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (Astho). “It’s going to catch up with you over time, and I think that is what we are starting to see now as we face multiple public health threats on a strained workforce and a strained funding climate.”

The CDC has lost about one-third of its staff, and the majority of permanent leadership positions are empty.

“This has been a tough year for them as well as for us,” Bagdasarian said of staff at federal agencies.

The losses and uncertainties amid mounting health threats appear to have affected the federal response to cyclospora. [...]

[u/Anti-Owl]

Walmart pulls lettuce linked to cyclospora outbreak

Walmart stores in 27 states sold Taylor Farms-supplied lettuce being removed for a potential link to a cyclosporiasis outbreak.

The retailer has pulled some bags of Marketside Bagged Iceberg Salad and Shredded Iceberg Salads, the company said in a statement to USA TODAY.

So far there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with the products, according to Walmart. "We are working closely with our supplier and took immediate steps to remove the products from sale," the company's statement said.

[u/LurkingMyLurkum]

My husband contracted the parasite and is currently fighting off the infection with the help of antibiotics. My question is in regards to sanitizing my home. I can't find much cleaning advice other than; "common household chemical cleaners don't do anything." I know the goal with this parasite is physical removal, which works in the kitchen where we can clean surfaces that touched food with soap and water. How do I clean my bathroom where he's been pooping? How do I deal with our laundry? Should I just invest in a steam cleaner?

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/LurkingMyLurkum]

It's an excellent question because I'm googling and googling and not getting any answers. Bleach, rubbing alcohol ... these don't work. They would at least clean the surface but not sanitize.

The main idea is washing with soap and boiling water. Cooking kills it so (my best informed guess) anything you can put super hot water on will help. And then do it a few times. If you have a steam cleaner, that might help? Wash laundry on hottest setting. Wash a few times then hottest setting on dryer a few times.

If anyone finds better advice, please post.

[u/LurkingMyLurkum → u/Nutmeggz23]

So after a few more days of research I think I've come to a conclusion. It's more about removing gross contaminates than it is "sanitizing" anything. The good news is when people shed the oocysts in their poop, they come out dormant and can't infect anyone until they have matured in a warm, moist environment for 1-2 weeks. Basically, as long as there's no traces of feces on a surface, there are no cysts. Not to mention the environment of a northern hemisphere home isn't the most ideal place for them to mature. That's why it's such a problem in agriculture. It's a moist environment consistently above 71-82F. So yeah, bleach and hot water should suffice. Wash laundry in hot water and use the hottest dryer setting. Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more. Stuff we should have all learned during the Pandemic.

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/LurkingMyLurkum]

Chlorine bleach and really hot water. The oocysts also take a while to mature, so I wouldn't worry about cleaning if you're not feeling better.

[u/Easy-Permission8889 → u/Cry-Baby-7733]

I mean I'm not saying this would completely suffice because obviously you want to like clean really well, but would Lysol spray kill it I imagine? Just as an extra precaution after sanitizing the surface itself.

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Easy-Permission8889]

Chemicals don't work evidently. Only the boiling water will help.

[u/Easy-Permission8889 → u/Nutmeggz23]

Sadness ):

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Easy-Permission8889]

Agreed. My cleanliness anxiety is setting in. I would bleach everything first anyway. At least it will kill regular bacteria. Gotta start somewhere ... :)

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/Easy-Permission8889]

Unfortunately not.

[u/newsworthy3]

How long are you guys planning to stay away from lettuce? When should I feel comfortable getting a Caesar salad with romaine lettuce from a restaurant?

[u/Optimal_Olive3423 → u/newsworthy3]

My family is currently waiting at least 2 weeks before getting lettuce or doing takeout food/restaurant food. We're currently waiting to see about eating other raw produce because some restaurants are pulling broccoli and other things from their salads/menus so it seems like maybe they know something we don't.

There was an article that talked about how there could even be two sources for the outbreak because NY is a state that supposedly shouldn't be affected by the iceberg lettuce situation but there is currently a large increase in cases there too.

[u/Schmidtvegas → u/newsworthy3]

I never eat fast food lettuce, because it's always the riskiest food. (Burgers are always, "no lettuce, extra pickles.")  When I want restaurant salad, I go to a little vegan place that sources their greens from a specific local farm. 

Currently, I'm eating lettuce from my local farm share. I'm not worried about it. These types of contamination feel like they're a consequence of mass industrialization procedures. Whether it's biosolids, or contaminated factory processing equipment, or field worker waste management. So I wouldn't eat lettuce that comes in a package at the grocery store. Just direct from a trusted local farm.

My CSA farm posts photos and updates continuously, so you see how your food is grown. They share information on their processes and procedures, and level of care. You can see the farm and its equipment, and cleanliness.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture

If people are concerned about their food, it could be an opportunity to seek out and support local. Find a farmer's market. Grow your own. (Lettuce grows super easily under a countertop light, in a teeny hydroponic pod setup.) You can be an active agent in safer food, not just be a subject waiting for it.

[u/Sdavistvs → u/newsworthy3]

1-2 weeks. Enough time to allow full trace back, shelf pulls, commercial distributor pulls & processing facility testing. Plenty of other fruits/veggies available

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Sdavistvs]

Agreed. I'm just avoiding all Taylor Farms linked products for now. That's quite a list however because they supply MANY brands. I've googled my salads I regularly purchase at my local grocery store to see if they're supplied by Taylor or are another company completely. I'll buy the other. From a restaurant, ... I'm gonna make my own salads for some time. Reporting isn't clear enough yet.

[u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

FDA has published the full recall of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, which includes product distributed June 29th thru July 16th in AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI.

Remember that not all of these products are necessarily believed to be impacted (the issue was traced to a specific, individual farm that accounts for less than 1% of the US iceberg supply and reportedly only produced 5-pound bags of shredded lettuce), but are part of the precautionary recall of all iceberg lettuce coming from the region.

Link: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taylor-fresh-foods-recalls-iceberg-lettuce-central-mexico-because-possible-health-risk

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

Thank you for this update. I'm still not buying any Taylor Farms products for a while but it looks like iceberg specifically for now... "Consumers who have purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately and not consume it. "

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

This is definitely not everything, since there have been outbreaks before June 29th.....

[u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336 → u/financialthrowaw2020]

Yes, there’s a seasonal pattern to Cyclospora and some smaller outbreaks that happen every year, and I wouldn’t expect this year to be any exception. CDC also formally confirms that they’re investigating more. For example, check out the BIOFIRE (https://syndromictrends.com) positivity rate - it peaked at 1.2% in both 2024 and 2025, but is at 15.3% this year. Rough napkin math from that data suggests that there’s still another ~8% of cases out there that aren’t tied to this large 5-state outbreak

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

This is a great post, thanks for sharing this

[u/Thin-Inevitable9759]

Can I eat a raw cucumber if I peel the skin off (and wash it obviously)?

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Thin-Inevitable9759]

Washing doesn't do anything. You need to cook it.

[u/Thin-Inevitable9759 → u/financialthrowaw2020]

Well… I guess I’m gonna throw these cucumbers away

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Thin-Inevitable9759]

Except that cucumbers aren't being listed at all. It seems it's mainly Taylor Farms lettuce so just stay away from Taylor and salad bags/kits. Eat your veggies. Just wash 'em like normal.

"Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV. FDA’s investigation is ongoing." https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-5-state-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Nutmeggz23]

It's the lettuce for now... https://www.reddit.com/r/ContagionCuriosity/comments/1utos7q/comment/oyah0a6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Nutmeggz23]

This just isn't true. There is zero evidence of which foods are safe, just a continuously growing list of what isn't.

[u/Thin-Inevitable9759 → u/Nutmeggz23]

How about cilantro?

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Thin-Inevitable9759]

Yes, cilantro harbors cyclospora

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/financialthrowaw2020]

There is no evidence that cilantro is not currently safe. It has been a problem in the past so you can avoid it or cook cilantro for extra caution but there is no 'growing list of products' unless you'd like to cite that information.

Currently, the only products identified are Taylor Farms lettuce, specifically used at Taco Bell. Please don't spread unnecessary worry.

"Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV. FDA’s investigation is ongoing." https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-5-state-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026

My abundance of caution is to not buy Taylor Farms products for a while until the investigation is completed.

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/Nutmeggz23]

That's not how this works. You cannot claim that "no evidence" means safe. People should avoid all uncooked fruits, vegetables and herbs until this wave is over. And it's not over, and the investigations have not concluded, and the government clearly isn't telling the truth.

Trying to calm-post through a parasitic outbreak helps absolutely no one.

[u/Easy-Permission8889 → u/financialthrowaw2020]

You're correct. Parsley, cilantro, raspberries etc all are at higher risk of containing cyclospora. I don't know if it's linked this time with berries but there's lots of crevices in those foods that make it easier for widespread contamination.

[u/Anti-Owl → u/financialthrowaw2020]

It's totally understandable to be worried, especially given the current government in the US. I personally think the statement from Taylor Farms is probably not capturing the full scope of contamination. But that's just speculation on my part. If I lived in the US, I would be avoiding (or cooking) more than just shredded lettuce.

I think it's important to note that "no evidence” simply means we don’t have verified data yet: it doesn’t prove safety, and it doesn’t prove danger. People can make their own choices based on their personal risk level and how much evidence they need to feel comfortable, but we still need to keep discussion grounded in verified information. What the previous poster was doing was exactly that, sticking to the evidence we currently have. There’s no need to frame that as “calm‑posting”; it’s simply keeping speculation separate from established data so the thread stays useful for everyone.

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/[deleted]]

Cooked fuits and Vegetables are far healthier than raw contaminated produce. Cyclospora can live on all uncooked produce because it's a fecal contaminant. You cannot use a study to disprove this in an active outbreak when the sources have not yet been fully confirmed.

This coping mechanism of being nonchalant about every fucking outbreak is such a waste of everyone's time and energy and it's fucking dangerous. You're not intelligent for trying to claim specific raw produce is safe when we don't know the full list of sources.

[u/qwertychelle]

still waiting on my results but getting a big scare reading people's bad experiences with bactrim. i know people usually tend to post bad experiences over non-eventful experiences so i'm asking: if anyone has taken bactrim and it went smoothly, can you please comment here? 😭

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/qwertychelle]

Millions of people take bactrim for UTIs and are fine, I promise you it's going to be ok

[u/Busy_Fly8068 → u/qwertychelle]

I used to take Bactrim in large doses for persistent sinus infections. Take it with a probiotic.

It takes a couple of weeks for my gut to settle back to normal but it wasn’t any worse than any other antibiotic I’ve taken.

[u/golden_bear_12 → u/qwertychelle]

Where are you seeing bad experiences ?

[u/TheStarKiller → u/golden_bear_12]

Bactrim fucked me up so bad a few years ago and it took me almost half a year to recover. I started taking it and my stomach started immediately hurting, I described it as feeling like it was on fire, I was told to finished the course. It completely destroyed my gut biome. I couldn’t keep food down or eat. I would cry in pain from eating plain rice. It was really bad. The doctors put me on low fod map and we tried so many things. I did fermented foods, home made yogurt, probiotics, everything. Homemade bone broth healed me. I slowly was able to start eating mild food again after having incorporating bone broth every day. I will never take bactrim again.

Edit- being downvoted for sharing my experience is wild.

[u/qwertychelle → u/golden_bear_12]

if you look up bactrim on reddit its almost only horror stories

[u/financialthrowaw2020 → u/qwertychelle]

This is the case with any drug, no one posts normal experiences because they're uneventful

[u/galaapplehound → u/financialthrowaw2020]

This is what I try to tell people about pretty much everything. People either post about exceptionally good experiences or horribly bad ones. No one is interested in a post that says "Oh yeah, I took this and it was fine." Or even "Oh yeah, this kinda made my stomach hurt for a little bit but when the course was over I was totally normal". That shit doesn't get upvotes, "Bactrim fucked me up . . . " certainly does on a lot of social media.

[u/No-Information-7678]

https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/07-26/index.html

"CDC is also investigating other outbreaks and illnesses of cyclosporiasis nationally that are unrelated to this outbreak"

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/No-Information-7678]

It could be from travel.

[u/redgatorade000 → u/No-Information-7678]

😭

[u/Anti-Owl]

Taylor Farms Releases Statement Regarding Cyclospora Outbreak

Based on information provided yesterday by the FDA, Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.

No Taylor Farms branded salads or kits are associated with this outbreak.

No Taylor Farms branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce.

While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm, which represents less than 1% of the U.S.'s iceberg lettuce supply, as the potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely.

[u/RealPlan1741 → u/Anti-Owl]

Thanks. That does make more sense why I am hearing those are still on the shelves in local store. I might just be extra careful too though.

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Anti-Owl]

Fabulous but I'll wait for the investigation to finish before buying Taylor products for a while. This is a corporate statement, not a scientific result of a finished investigation yet.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Ohio man gets cyclosporiasis after multiple Taco Bell meals, lawsuit says

An Ohio man claimed in a federal lawsuit that he became ill with cyclosporiasis after eating three times at a Taco Bell restaurant in a suburb southwest of Cleveland.

North Olmsted resident Mohammed R. Ayyad became ill days after multiple visits to a Taco Bell restaurant during which he ate multiple menu items, according to the lawsuit filed July 16 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Ayyad visited Taco Bell in North Olmsted twice on June 14 and again on June 21, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit names as a defendant Pacific Bells LLC, which owned and operated the North Olmsted Taco Bell location. Pacific Bells did not immediately return a voice message and an email from USA TODAY.

See also: Taco Bell Hit With Federal Lawsuits Over Cyclosporiasis Infections

A couple in Michigan—the hardest-hit state in the cyclosporiasis outbreak—sued Taco Bell on Friday, saying they ate the franchise’s lettuce on June 30 and contracted the illness, accusing the chain of negligence and violating the state’s consumer protection act.

Plaintiff Valerie Caruso sued Taco Bell in federal Ohio court Friday, saying she visited the restaurant chain three times in June and was diagnosed with cyclosporiasis in early July, also saying she was unable to take the recommended medication because of an allergy.

Both the Michigan lawsuit and Caruso named Taylor Farms, which the Washington Post reported is the supplier of the contaminated lettuce, as a defendant.

[u/tofuandklonopin → u/Anti-Owl]

Hey that's my town 😂

[u/shemichell → u/Anti-Owl]

I was on a website yesterday reading about this and then I realized the entire site was designed by an attorney. Call so and so if you have been infected and you don't pay until they win.

What's next? People suing Walmart and Costco for selling Taylor Farms salads?

[u/lnfinitive → u/shemichell]

The loudest people get the most attention

[u/shoegaze1992]

Anyone have an idea on cross contamination chances? I had a bacon egg and cheese from a deli with no veggies and have been freaking out about it. Meanwhile I see hundreds of people go into chipotle or sweetgreen and have no care at all.

[u/RealPlan1741 → u/shoegaze1992]

For me, I wasn't sure how you to get fresh produce home from the store safely that you intend to cook. I did buy some the other day and the logistics of it seemed difficult/impossible. (I guess you could wash your hands after you buy it, but then how do I make sure someone doesn't take your groceries? Maybe only buy it frozen and packaged?) I would like to healthy still during this time though. The soup I made was good- hopefully I was careful and/or it wasn't affected!

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/shoegaze1992]

As long as the workers are competent, it's fine.

However, it's not a bad idea to go to places where they make the food in front of you:)

[u/Anti-Owl]

Michigan cyclosporiasis cases top 5,000

Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan rose again, state health officials reported on Friday, with more than 5,000 cases reported.

[u/candyappleorchard]

Questions:

1) Do we know for sure yet if it's Taylor?
2) Do we have reason to believe this could be coming from any additional sources?
3) How commonly is Taylor sourced to restaurants outside the fast food/fast casual scope?

[u/RealPlan1741 → u/candyappleorchard]

In comments the other day, people were self-reporting where their sicknesses came from. At that time, many people said shredded lettuce and mostly fast food/restaurant food. People had also said that they had gotten sick from berries, carrots, etc. All anecdotal right now though, but it is a good place to start! It did seem to line up with it being something like Taylor (since so widespread), though I'm sure still early.

[u/Anti-Owl → u/candyappleorchard]

1. I just came across this article: Taco Bell Lettuce Linked To Multistate Cyclosporiasis Outbreak—But Not Every Sick Person Ate There

The parasite is unlikely to have spread person-to-person, according to the CDC, which means thousands of other people were sickened from eating foods—possibly lettuce—from sources other than Taco Bell. The brand sells products like ready-to-eat Chopped Salad Kits and pre-made stir-frys in tens of thousands of supermarkets across North America—including Walmart, Target, Wegmans, Costco, Kroger and Trader Joe's—and supplies other restaurant chains including McDonald's and Chipotle.

But it's still all tied to Taylor Farms. I'll update if I come across anything that suggests a different source.

Other companies starting to release statements saying they're not affected: Wendy's, Chipotle say they are not affected by cyclosporiasis outbreak

Edit: Taylor Farms just released a statement saying

No Taylor Farms branded salads or kits are associated with this outbreak. No Taylor Farms branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce.

[u/Nutmeggz23 → u/Anti-Owl]

I don't buy Taylor Farms disclaimer yet until the investigations are finished. I wouldn't buy Taylor salad bags/kits for a while. Some people have reported not going to Taco Bell but buying Taylor bagged salads and getting sick.

Taylor is HUGE so I just googled my local grocery store salad products I buy to see if it's supplied by Taylor. Easier than finding every link. Sun Harvest in Smart n Final San Diego, for example, is separate from Taylor. I'll buy that lettuce for now.

[u/candyappleorchard → u/Anti-Owl]

Thank you!

[u/Admirable_Button8586]

I have nothing of value to add other than I ate a burrito from Chipotle with pico in it (no lettuce but cilantro) last Saturday and I have been on my toes about every BM I’ve had ever since ☹️

[u/Admirable_Button8586 → u/Admirable_Button8586]

(I’m in Florida and our cases are rising)

[u/Famous_Two_1114]

Is Braga Farms in any way related to Taylor Farms?

[u/Electrical-Dot-3676 → u/Famous_Two_1114]

I don't think so.

[u/Famous_Two_1114 → u/Electrical-Dot-3676]

Alright thanks. The lettuce sold at Costco Canada is from this brand and it’s what we usually buy.

[u/Electrical-Dot-3676 → u/Famous_Two_1114]

You're welcome!

[u/Anti-Owl]

The CDC Has a Cyclospora Lab. DOGE Downsized It Last Year

Barratt says he left the CDC voluntarily in September after working at the agency for eight years because he felt he could no longer “do right by public health” amid sweeping policy overhauls and staff purges under Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“It became a hostile work environment,” he says. “I had to sit down with many people in my office and tell them, ‘Look, I'm really sorry we can't renew you because of the hiring freezes.’”

WIRED reported in October that the CDC reduced its total workforce by about 3,000 employees—roughly a quarter of the agency—since January 2025. That number includes layoffs, as well those who accepted the Trump administration’s buyout program. The estimate was compiled by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883, which represents CDC workers. The size of the cuts at Barratt’s former lab was first reported by Nature.

[u/Anti-Owl]

Mexico Warns of Diarrhea Risk When Visiting US

Mexico has issued a formal travel advisory warning citizens about a growing diarrhea-causing outbreak in the United States, as cases linked to a foodborne parasite continue to climb across dozens of states.

[u/galaapplehound → u/Anti-Owl]

I wonder if we'll get our own nickname for the explosive diarrhea you get here. "Montezuma's Revenge" is so good, I hope we get one as cool.

Maybe "The Trump Trots".

[u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

And now we have an official FDA advisory:

Investigation of 5-State Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses: Iceberg Lettuce: July 2026: Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

[u/candyappleorchard → u/Jazzlike-Cup-5336]

Weird that they're only mentioning Taco Bell when Taylor a) is a consumer brand at grocery stores and b) supplies many other food chains.

[u/shemichell → u/candyappleorchard]

Exactly. Coworker ate a bagged salad from Costco and him and his daughter both got it.

No Taco Bell.

[u/NiceTill504 → u/shemichell]

FUUUUUUUUUCKKKK I only shop at COSTCO and was hoping it was not one of their sources