Author: McKenna Madison Coveny

Updated July 24, 2026 A multistate outbreak of *Cyclospora* infections linked to iceberg lettuce has expanded to nine states and now accounts for nearly 2,000 reported illnesses, federal health officials said in their latest update. The lettuce at the center of the investigation was grown in central Mexico, supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, and reached consumers largely through Taco Bell restaurants, Walmart stores, and food-service distributors.The FDA and CDC, working with state and local partners, continue to investigate. The outbreak remains classified as **ongoing**.The Latest NumbersAs of July 24, 2026, the outbreak includes:- **1,947 reported illnesses**- **98 hospitalizations**- **0…

Concord, N.H. — July 23, 2026 New Hampshire health officials have confirmed a cluster of cyclosporiasis cases tied to recalled lettuce served at a hospital cafeteria in Keene, part of a larger national outbreak of the foodborne parasite *Cyclospora*. What HappenedThe New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, confirmed nine people with cyclosporiasis who ate lettuce products served at the cafeteria of Dartmouth Health’s Cheshire Medical Center in Keene. The state is continuing to investigate additional cases potentially linked to the cluster.Cheshire Medical Center reported a broader count: the hospital said 16 people —…

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — July 17, 2026 — The first lawsuit arising from the massive nationwide cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell has been filed in Mahoning County, Ohio, on behalf of David Ott, a 27-year veteran of the United States Army who was hospitalized after eating contaminated food at a Youngstown Taco Bell.The suit, filed this morning by national food safety law firm Ron Simon & Associates together with Ohio co-counsel DiCello Levitt & Casey LLC, names Taco Bell Corp., Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. (doing business as Taylor Farms), and franchise operator Charter Foods, Inc. as defendants. It is the…

The summer of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the worst Cyclospora seasons in American history. As of mid-July, nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported across at least 34 states, and health officials warn that the true number of victims is almost certainly far higher. For the thousands of Americans now suffering through weeks of debilitating illness — and the thousands more who will fall ill before this outbreak is contained — one question looms large: Should I file a Cyclospora lawsuit? According to national Cyclospora lawyer Ron Simon, whose firm has recovered more than $850…

Salmonella — backyard poultry (the big one) This is by far the largest active investigation, and it’s unusual in that it’s not a food product at all — it’s live birds. CDC and state officials are investigating multistate outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis, Indiana, Infantis, Mbandaka, and Saintpaul infections, with epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory data pointing to contact with backyard poultry. As of June 8, 2026, 513 people infected with the outbreak strains had been reported from 43 states, with illness onsets ranging from January 20 to May 22, 2026. Of 385 people with information available, 134 (35%) were hospitalized. One…

When a food recall makes national headlines, most consumers see only the final chapter of a much longer story. A contaminated product is identified, companies remove it from store shelves, public health officials issue warnings, and consumers are urged to check their refrigerators or pantries. To the public, the process often appears straightforward: someone got sick, investigators found the source, and a recall followed. In reality, modern foodborne illness investigations are among the most complex public health operations conducted in the United States. Long before a recall is announced, epidemiologists, microbiologists, laboratory scientists, environmental health specialists, and food safety investigators…

Every summer, public health officials prepare for an increase in foodborne illnesses. Warmer temperatures create ideal conditions for bacterial growth, backyard cookouts become more frequent, and fresh fruits and vegetables appear in abundance at grocery stores and farmers markets across the country. While familiar pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria often dominate headlines, another foodborne threat quietly returns almost every year: Cyclospora. Unlike many bacterial foodborne illnesses, Cyclospora outbreaks often unfold slowly. Cases may appear weeks apart, involve multiple states, and leave investigators searching for a common source long after the first illnesses are reported. In many instances, there…

The Parasite Behind Summer’s “Explosive Diarrhea” Outbreaks Appears to be Cyclospora Every spring, as bagged salads and fresh berries fill grocery coolers across North America, public health agencies brace for the return of a microscopic troublemaker. Cyclospora cayetanensis is a single-celled parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness best known for producing prolonged, watery, and sometimes explosive diarrhea. Virtually unknown in wealthy countries until a series of dramatic outbreaks in the 1990s, it has since become a recurring seasonal hazard tied to fresh produce, a familiar cause of traveler’s diarrhea, and a persistent puzzle for the scientists who study it.…

By the time most Americans hear about a foodborne illness outbreak on the evening news, Ron Simon has often already filed suit. For more than three decades, the Houston-based attorney has built a career — and, his supporters would argue, a measure of public accountability — out of a corner of the law most trial lawyers never touch: representing the victims of contaminated food.A Niche Most Lawyers AvoidSimon, the founding and managing partner of Ron Simon & Associates, took an unusual path. Where many personal injury attorneys chase volume in familiar areas like car accidents or workplace injuries, Simon planted…

Food poisoning can be more than an unpleasant inconvenience. While many people recover after a few days of rest and hydration, others experience severe illness requiring hospitalization, long-term medical treatment, or even permanent health complications. When contaminated food causes preventable harm, victims may have the right to pursue legal action against the responsible parties.Food poisoning litigation can be complex because it often involves identifying the source of contamination, proving liability, and documenting the full extent of a victim’s damages. Experienced attorneys play a critical role in gathering evidence, working with experts, and helping clients navigate the legal process. When Food…