The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Friday that the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history has officially ended.
The foodborne illness infected 12,833 people across 21 states during the largest single cluster, according to the CDC.
Health officials linked that outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms in Mexico, a major producer in the U.S. food supply chain.
The outbreak fueled the worst cyclosporiasis season ever recorded in the United States, with 19,595 total cases of the illness caused by the parasite cyclospora.
Two deaths were recorded in the U.S., both occurring in Michigan, which emerged as the epicenter of the largest outbreak cluster.
The spread of the foodborne illness intensified public scrutiny of U.S. food safety procedures and corporate consolidation within the country’s food supply chain.
Questions were also raised about staffing levels and funding at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the outbreak grew through the summer months.
Restaurants serving fresh lettuce saw measurable sales declines, with Taco Bell particularly affected after it was identified as a major buyer of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms.
Cyclospora presented a significant tracking challenge for health officials due to its long incubation period, which can delay source identification by several weeks.
By the time investigators trace the illness back to its origin, the implicated produce may already have spoiled, further complicating containment and recall efforts.
Taylor Farms recalled the shredded iceberg lettuce in July, affecting packages sold through major retailers including Walmart.
Taco Bell also pulled the lettuce from its restaurant locations that same month as federal health officials worked to contain the spread.
The outbreak has reignited a broader national conversation about food supply concentration and the resilience of U.S. food safety infrastructure going forward.
