A large Cyclospora outbreak in the United States has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico. Health authorities have identified the product as the likely source of infection, prompting suppliers to halt sales and remove affected products from the market.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that many infected people had eaten at Taco Bell locations supplied with shredded iceberg lettuce from the same distributor. The FDA has ordered businesses to stop using the products, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said cases in multiple states are strongly connected to the contaminated lettuce.

California-based Taylor Farms said it voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico after receiving updated information from the FDA. Food distributor Sysco also confirmed it had stopped selling and distributing the products.

The recalled lettuce was processed at Taylor Farms' facility in Guanajuato, Mexico, and supplied to hospitals, baseball stadiums and major fast-food chains. Reuters reported that Taylor Farms also notified key customers, including Yum Brands, to stop using the shredded lettuce.

The outbreak began in early May, with most cases reported in Michigan, followed by Ohio and New York. Michigan has recorded more than 5,000 cases, making it one of the country's largest Cyclospora outbreaks in recent years.

Taylor Farms' Guanajuato facility was also linked to a 2013 Cyclospora outbreak that infected more than 600 people across 25 U.S. states.

According to the CDC, Cyclospora mainly causes gastrointestinal illness, including prolonged diarrhea. Most healthy people recover without treatment, though medication is available when necessary.