All articles tagged with #cyclospora outbreak
A cyclospora outbreak is linked to the risk of long-lasting gut problems: research shows about 10-20% of people who contract intestinal illnesses from bacteria, viruses, or parasites develop post-infection irritable bowel syndrome with symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain that can persist for months or years, a pattern illustrated by a Michigan resident still in pain two months after falling ill.
Amid the Cyclospora outbreak, a recent piece traces which store-brand lettuces may be produced by Taylor Farms, naming Marketside (Walmart), Earthbound Farm Organic, Eat Smart, Green Giant Fresh, Kroger brands, Good & Gather (Target), and 365 by Whole Foods. It notes that Taylor Farms issued a voluntary iceberg recall and paused certain production, while investigators race to verify supplier origins amid multi-brand links and recall activity; consumers are advised to consult the FDA recall list for specifics and inspect lot codes (TF prefixes) that have been used in related investigations.
Revol Greens, a Minnesota-based lettuce grower with a Medford greenhouse near Owatonna and a Texas facility, says it may close the Medford site and lay off about 89 workers by Oct. 4 unless it secures financing or a buyer; the company will keep normal operations through October as it pursues investors, lenders, or partnerships. The move comes amid weaker demand tied to a cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, though Revol Greens says its products were not implicated. There is no union at the facility.
Taco Bell sales fell 2% from the end of June through July 27 as US health officials tied the outbreak to the chain; nearly 1,900 people across nine states became ill and about 100 hospitalized with no deaths. The brand moved to remove lettuce from Taylor Farms after officials identified it as the likely source; foot traffic plunged about 30% in mid-July and was still about 20% below its daily average by July 23. Yum Brands posted a strong quarterly result overall (net income $853 million; 3% worldwide sales growth across KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell), with CEO Chris Turner calling the impact temporary and note that promotions like $1 lettuce-free items aided a recovery. Shares dipped at first but recovered after the earnings call.
Yum Brands posted a mixed Q2 2026: revenue of $2.17 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.62 (above expectations on EPS but below revenue consensus), net income $853 million, and 12% net revenue growth. Global same-store sales rose 3% (Taco Bell +7%, KFC +2%, Pizza Hut -1%). The results reflect performance before the cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce, which has driven double-digit traffic declines and could threaten Yum’s growth engine; management did not provide full-year guidance. Yum also disclosed the planned sale of Pizza Hut and Yum China to LongRange Capital for $2.7 billion. The article notes broader industry softness and mentions Chipotle’s late July sales impact tied to lettuce concerns.
Taylor Farms’ CEO Bruce Taylor breaks silence as a multi-state cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico spurs a broad recall, suspension of central Mexico production, and a class-action lawsuit against Taylor Farms and Taco Bell; the FDA is continuing its investigation, with no confirmed positive samples reported as of July 24.
Taco Bell is offering $1 lettuce-free enchiritos and regular nacho fries through its app for one day to lure customers back after a lettuce-linked cyclospora outbreak reduced foot traffic. The outbreak contributed to a drop in store visits—about 31% on July 17 and 30% on July 18 per Placer.ai—and Yum! Brands shares fell roughly 9% over the past week. Taco Bell’s CEO Sean Tresvant framed the move as earning loyalty one meal at a time.
Snopes finds no evidence that Bruce Taylor personally donated to Donald Trump or Trump-aligned groups, though he has been a major Republican donor. Taylor Farms’ parent company, Taylor Fresh Foods, did donate $1 million to MAGA Inc., a Trump-aligned PAC, six days after the FDA announced a delay to enforcing a food-traceability rule. Several social-media claims about meetings with Trump officials or bribes could not be independently verified. The FDA later acknowledged a false-positive Cyclospora test but epidemiological data still linked iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Taylor Farms had not commented when contacted. The piece underscores the distinction between personal political giving and corporate PAC donations, and contextualizes the traceability-rule delay within broader regulatory actions.
The City of Houston, Harris, and Fort Bend County health departments are urging people to wash fruits, vegetables, and hands due to an outbreak of Cyclospora, a gastrointestinal disease. Doctors are seeing an increase in cases of RSV, strep throat, scarlet fever, acute gastroenteritis, skin problems, hemorrhoids, allergies, heat exhaustion, and mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile.