Walmart Recalls Bagged Iceberg Lettuce Across 27 States Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Fears
Walmart has issued a voluntary recall of several bagged iceberg lettuce products sold in 27 states, citing a possible link to a widespread Cyclospora outbreak that has swept across the U.S. in recent weeks. The move, described by the retailer as precautionary, underscores mounting concerns about how far contaminated produce may have traveled through the food supply chain.
The affected items include 12- and 24-ounce bags of Marketside Bagged Iceberg Salad, as well as 8- and 16-ounce bags of Marketside Bagged Shredded Iceberg Salad. Walmart said it pulled these products from select stores after its supplier, Taylor Farms, flagged a potential health risk. According to USA Today, Walmart noted that none of the specific bags sold in its stores have yet been linked to confirmed illnesses, but emphasized it acted quickly to remove them from shelves.
The recall comes on the heels of Taco Bell's decision to remove Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants, following federal investigations that tied shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico to cases of Cyclospora infection in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the small intestine and can cause prolonged diarrhea, sometimes lasting a month or longer, along with other gastrointestinal symptoms.
By mid-July, Michigan alone had reported more than 5,000 cases and 102 hospitalizations, with the national tally reaching into the thousands. The outbreak has drawn attention to vulnerabilities in the fresh produce supply chain, particularly for items sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Farms has paused handling and shipments of iceberg lettuce from that region while the investigation continues. Separately, food distributor Sysco has also halted distribution of the implicated lettuce.
“While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm that 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,” Taylor Farms said in a statement.
The recall may also be reshaping consumer habits. Data from location analytics firm Placer.ai suggests that headlines about Cyclospora and ingredient removals at fast-food chains could be driving changes in traffic at restaurants that rely heavily on lettuce-based menu items, according to USA Today.
Walmart is urging customers who purchased any of the recalled bags to discard them immediately or return them to the store of purchase for a full refund. The retailer emphasized it is working closely with Taylor Farms and has taken steps to ensure the affected products are no longer available for sale.
As the outbreak investigation continues, public health officials are advising consumers to remain vigilant, particularly those who may have purchased bagged iceberg lettuce in recent weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends thoroughly washing all produce, though note that Cyclospora can be difficult to remove from leafy greens due to its ability to cling to surfaces.