Cyclospora Outbreak Cuts US Lettuce Sales 10% as 4,100 Cases Spread Across 41 States
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 23
Cyclospora Outbreak Cuts US Lettuce Sales 10% as 4,100 Cases Spread Across 41 States
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 23
Summary
More than 4,100 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in 41 states have triggered a nationwide pullback from salads, with shoppers avoiding packaged lettuce and restaurants seeing weaker demand for leafy greens.
Federal officials linked some illnesses to iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico and served at certain Taco Bell locations, prompting Taylor Farms to voluntarily recall lettuce shipped to 27 states.
Stew Leonard’s said its lettuce sales are down about 10% to 11%, even though the regional grocer said it did not source any lettuce from Taylor Farms.
The widening consumer backlash has spread beyond iceberg to spinach, arugula and romaine, turning the outbreak into a broader "Great Lettuce Scare" for the produce industry.