State officials report no cyclosporiasis outbreak in California, with cases remaining below last year’s levels while CDPH and CDFA continue coordinating with federal partners.
California continues to maintain one of the safest food supplies in the world, with no cyclosporiasis outbreak in the state and reported cases remaining lower than they were at this time last year.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are actively monitoring a multistate federal investigation involving illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five states. California is not among the states experiencing an increase in cases associated with the investigation.
CDPH and CDFA are working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the federal investigation continues. At this time, FDA has not notified the state of any traceback findings involving California growers, processors, or distributors.
California’s public health and agricultural agencies continue to monitor for unusual illness trends through routine disease surveillance and food safety systems and stand ready to take any action necessary should new information emerge.
California’s food safety system is built on strong partnerships among growers, processors, retailers, public health officials, and regulators. California producers continue to implement rigorous science-based food safety practices, including compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, comprehensive sanitation protocols, agricultural water standards, worker training, and product traceability requirements.
Together, these measures help protect consumers while supporting one of the nation’s most productive and trusted agricultural sectors.
The federal investigation remains focused on illnesses reported in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. To date, California has not identified any locally acquired outbreak associated with California-grown products.
State officials will continue coordinating with CDC, FDA, local health departments, growers, and industry partners throughout the investigation.
Consumers should continue following routine food safety practices, including washing fresh produce under running water, refrigerating perishable foods promptly, and practicing safe food handling at home.
For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health’s cyclosporiasis information page.