Cyclospora Lawsuit Filed Over Contaminated Lettuce & Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that spreads when people eat food or drink water contaminated with feces, causing watery diarrhea, nausea, and weight loss.
On July 18, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reported that a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico had tested positive for Cyclospora.
A day later, the FDA determined the finding was a false positive but cautioned against consuming any recalled Taylor Farms lettuce while the investigation continues.
Find out more about the cyclosporiasis outbreak:
- At least 1,645 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- An additional 5,100 cases require further analysis to confirm cyclosporiasis.
- There have been 141 hospitalizations reported across 34 states, per the CDC.
- The recalled lettuce was distributed to 27 states between June 29 and July 16, according to Taylor Farms.
- Cyclosporiasis symptoms often appear within a week of consuming contaminated food, according to Cleveland Clinic.
- Recalled Taylor Farms lettuce was served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, and at Jack in the Box locations in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
- Taylor Farms also supplied the recalled lettuce to Sysco, the biggest food distributor in the U.S., which delivers to restaurants, hospitals, schools, and other institutions across the country.
In July 2026, the first cyclosporiasis lawsuits were filed against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms by individuals who reportedly became sick after eating contaminated lettuce at Taco Bell.
Companies that grow, process, and distribute food have a duty to follow proper sanitation and food safety practices. When they fail to do so and consumers get sick as a result, those affected may be able to take legal action.
At Sokolove Law, we’re committed to helping families seek justice for cyclosporiasis linked to contaminated food products. Contact us now to find out if we may be able to help you.
Get the Help You Deserve
Our experienced cyclosporiasis attorneys can file a lawsuit and fight for justice and compensation on your behalf. See if you may qualify now.
Taylor Farms Salad Kit Recalls 2026
On July 17, Taylor Farms announced they were voluntarily recalling all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market after health officials linked it to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
The FDA conducted a traceback investigation to determine the source of the outbreak. Data shared by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services showed that 90% of patients who ate at Taco Bell reported eating iceberg lettuce, helping point investigators toward the contaminated supply.
The Taylor Farms recalls include:
- All Marketside-brand Iceberg Salad and Shredded Lettuce, which is sold at Walmart
- Bulk lettuce supplied to restaurants, distributors, and institutions, ranging from Taco Bell to Jack in the Box and Sysco
Restaurants like Taco Bell have already announced that they are no longer using any Taylor Farms lettuce products that are suspected to be contaminated with Cyclospora.
Can I Sue for Cyclosporiasis?
Anyone who got sick after eating contaminated food may have grounds to file a cyclosporiasis lawsuit against the company responsible for making, distributing, or serving it.
You may be able to sue for cyclosporiasis if you:
- Ate iceberg lettuce recalled by Taylor Farms or ate at a restaurant that served the recalled lettuce
- Developed symptoms of cyclosporiasis on or after the outbreak's known exposure window (May 2026 or later)
- Were diagnosed with cyclosporiasis through a stool sample test
In some cases, victims have needed to be hospitalized for cyclosporiasis due to complications like severe dehydration.
An experienced cyclosporiasis attorney can help you determine whether or not you may be able to take legal action based on the details of your situation.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to find out if you may qualify for a cyclospora settlement. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Cyclosporiasis Symptoms
Cyclosporiasis symptoms typically appear about a week after exposure to contaminated food, though the onset can be shorter or longer.
Common symptoms of cyclosporiasis include:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
One man who ate at a Taco Bell in Ohio “suffered continued headache, chills, weakness, and an inability to sleep through the night” before being diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, according to his lawsuit. He also developed persistent diarrhea and was unable to work for 2 weeks.
Some people infected with Cyclospora become seriously ill. If left untreated, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer, and may go away for a time before returning.
How a Cyclospora Lawyer Can Help
At Sokolove Law, our Cyclospora lawyers strive to make filing a lawsuit as easy and stress-free as possible, so you can stay focused on your health.
After a free case review to determine your eligibility to file a lawsuit, we’ll begin gathering evidence to support your claim. This may include medical records, relevant findings from the outbreak investigation, and documentation tying your illness back to Taylor Farms lettuce.
From there, our Cyclospora attorneys can file your cyclosporiasis recall lawsuit in the correct court before any deadlines. We’ll work to negotiate a settlement with Taylor Farms, Taco Bell, or any other defendants named in your case.
If a settlement is unable to be reached, we won’t back down. Our team is prepared to present your case in court and seek compensation from a trial verdict.
Let Our Cyclosporiasis Law Firm Fight for You
At Sokolove Law, our cyclosporiasis law firm is dedicated to helping individuals who were harmed by contaminated food get the compensation they deserve.
We understand how disruptive and painful this illness can be, and we're here to fight for justice on your behalf.
Find out why families choose Sokolove Law:
- Over 45 years of experience taking on large corporations
- No upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team
- Able to help families in all 50 states
- More than $10.5 Billion secured for injured clients
There's only a limited amount of time to take legal action due to laws called statutes of limitations, so it’s important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible.
Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.
Cyclosporiasis Lawyer FAQs
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that spreads when people eat food or drink water contaminated with feces.
This illness typically causes watery diarrhea, along with symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Symptoms usually appear about a week after exposure and, if untreated, can last for weeks or longer.
If you developed cyclosporiasis after eating contaminated food, Sokolove Law can help you understand your legal options. Contact us now for a free case review.
Is there a Taylor Farms recall for cyclosporiasis?
Yes. On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after health officials linked it to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
The recall includes Marketside-brand Iceberg Salad and Shredded Lettuce sold at Walmart, as well as bulk, foodservice-sized lettuce and lettuce blends supplied to restaurants and distributors.
What is the Cyclospora lawsuit?
The Cyclospora lawsuit involves individuals who developed cyclosporiasis after eating iceberg lettuce recalled by Taylor Farms.
These lawsuits allege that Taylor Farms and the restaurants or retailers that served or sold the contaminated lettuce are responsible for the illnesses caused by unsafe food handling and processing practices.
Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Can you sue a grocery store for cyclosporiasis?
Potentially. If a grocery store sold contaminated lettuce that made you sick, and the store knew or should have known about the contamination, you may be able to include the store in your cyclosporiasis lawsuit.
However, most claims involved in this cyclosporiasis outbreak are being filed against Taylor Farms, the lettuce supplier, since it's the company responsible for growing, processing, and distributing the recalled product.
Can you sue a restaurant for cyclosporiasis?
If a restaurant served you contaminated food that made you sick, you may be able to file a cyclosporiasis lawsuit against them.
Several lawsuits have already been filed against Taco Bell locations after health officials linked shredded iceberg lettuce served there to cyclosporiasis illnesses. Restaurants can be held liable for serving contaminated food, even if they weren't the ones who initially contaminated it.
How much does a Cyclospora attorney charge?
At Sokolove Law, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our Cyclospora attorneys. We operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
Is there a cyclosporiasis class action lawsuit?
As of July 2026, there is a proposed cyclosporiasis class action lawsuit against Taylor Farms and Taco Bell. However, a class has not yet been certified by a court.
In the meantime, several individuals have also filed their own separate lawsuits against Taylor Farms and Taco Bell.
