# The biggest cyclospora outbreak ever is over

> A parasite in shredded iceberg lettuce sickened nearly 13,000 people across 21 states before the CDC called it done.
- Title: The biggest cyclospora outbreak ever is over · CNBC | Shortify
- Summary: A parasite in shredded iceberg lettuce sickened nearly 13,000 people across 21 states before the CDC called it done. A single supplier's shredded lettuce…
- Keywords: food safety, public health, cdc, outbreak, food supply, business, finance, biggest, cyclospora, ever, CNBC
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/11/cdc-record-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-over.html
- Author: Jacob Pramuk
- Published: 2026-09-11T14:56:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: food safety, public health, cdc, outbreak, food supply, business, finance
## The CDC calls it over
On Friday the CDC declared the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history finished. The cluster sickened 12,833 people across 21 states.

> The largest-ever outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. has ended
## Shredded lettuce was the source
Officials traced the cluster to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms in Mexico, a producer that feeds a large share of the American food chain.
## Worst season on record
Counting every case, not just the big cluster, the U.S. logged 19,595 cyclospora infections. Two people died, both in Michigan, the center of the outbreak.
## The parasite hid for weeks
Cyclospora has a long incubation period, so tracing a case back to its source can take weeks. By then the suspect produce has often already spoiled.

> It can take weeks to trace back the source of the illness
## Recalls came in July
Taylor Farms pulled the iceberg lettuce, including packages sold at Walmart. Taco Bell, which served the same shredded lettuce, yanked it from restaurants that month.
## Now the hard questions
The outbreak dented lettuce sales at restaurants and grocers, and put scrutiny on food safety procedures, consolidation in the food supply, and FDA staffing and funding.
## Key takeaway

A single supplier's shredded lettuce reached 21 states before anyone could trace it, and the parasite's slow incubation gave it weeks of cover.