U.S. health officials have declared the country’s largest recorded multistate cyclospora outbreak over, after contaminated iceberg lettuce sickened nearly 13,000 people across 21 states.

Nearly 13,000 Illnesses Reported

According to federal health data, 12,883 people were reported ill during the outbreak, with 570 hospitalizations and two deaths. The outbreak was linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and supplied by Taylor Farms.

At the height of the outbreak, more than 1,000 infections were reported in a single day. However, reported infections dropped sharply in August, falling to fewer than two cases per day on average.

FDA Investigation Continues

The CDC says the recalled lettuce is no longer available in stores or restaurants, while the FDA continues investigating how the parasite entered the food supply.

Taylor Farms recalled the affected iceberg lettuce in July, while FDA investigators conducted inspections and collected samples from farms and processing facilities in Mexico. Testing and analysis are still underway.

Food Safety Concerns Remain

The outbreak has renewed attention on U.S. food safety systems and imported produce inspections. Health experts have also called for improved tools to track parasite strains and identify contamination sources more quickly.

Although the outbreak has officially ended, federal investigators are continuing to examine the contamination pathway. The episode highlights the challenges of protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses involving fresh produce.