MDL Track
MDL 3196
2026 Cyclosporiasis outbreak consumer-protection litigation
Pharmaceutical · consumer-protection actions alleging lettuce, leafy greens, and other vegetable products were contaminated in connection with a Cyclosporiasis outbreak
Defendant
Pacific Bells, LLC
MDL / Track
MDL 3196
N.D. Cal. (proposed)
Judge
Various (no assigned MDL judge)
Plaintiffs
7+ federal complaints
Bellwether / Trial
No verdicts yet
Settlement Status
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Case overview
Plaintiffs have filed at least five federal lawsuits and an MDL consolidation motion as the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak becomes the largest parasitic foodborne illness event in U.S. history. MDL No. 3196 is pending before the JPML with a July 17, 2026 memorandum supporting centralization and transfer to the Northern District of California. Named defendants include Taco Bell of America, Pacific Bells, Border Foods, and Taylor Farms de Mexico, which recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico on July 17, 2026. The CDC has confirmed 6,707 laboratory-acquired cases across 45 states as of August 4, 2026, with two deaths reported in Michigan.
Causation Theory
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite transmitted through contaminated fresh produce, particularly leafy greens, that withstands standard washing and chlorine-based decontamination. The implicated iceberg lettuce was grown in central Mexico; FDA recommended sampling agricultural water in growing regions as early as 2013. The parasite's oocysts resist environmental stressors that inactivate bacterial pathogens, and no kill step exists for bagged lettuce.
Case Management Orders
Litigation status
MDL 3196 is pending before the JPML with a July 17, 2026 memorandum supporting centralization and transfer to the Northern District of California; no transfer order has issued. Active federal complaints include Giles v. Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. (CAND 5:26-cv-08178, filed Aug. 6, 2026) and Harris v. Taco Bell of America, LLC (filed July 31, 2026), plus at least five additional complaints in N.D. Ohio, E.D. Mich., and W.D. Mich.
MDL Track
MDL 3196
2026 Cyclosporiasis outbreak consumer-protection litigation
State Court Activity
Michigan reports nearly 12,000 cases with two deaths; CDC reports 1,947 confirmed cases in nine states as of July 24, 2026
Geographic exposure
CDC reports 10,468 lab-confirmed domestically acquired cases, 12,255 pending confirmation, totaling nearly 23,000 cases across 47 states as of Aug. 4, 2026. FDA confirms six separate cyclospora outbreaks; largest linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce distributed June 29-July 16 to 27 states. Two deaths in Michigan. 517 hospitalizations nationally. Marler Clark retained by 40+ individuals in 26 states for investigation.
12,485 cases, 193 hospitalizations, 2 deaths per MDHHS Aug. 6; 4,000+ lab-confirmed per CDC Aug. 4. Epicenter of outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell. Active litigation: Hercula v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-12524 (E.D. Mich., filed July 22); O'Hara v. Border Foods, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-02183 (W.D. Mich., filed July 28). Plaintiff Kellye O'Hara of Muskegon hospitalized July 19, unable to obtain nitazoxanide due to backorder, required 7-hour round trip to secure medication.
645+ lab-confirmed cases per CDC Aug. 5; state reports place total above 1,000. Active litigation: Ayyad v. Pacific Bells, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01648 (N.D. Ohio, filed July 16); Caruso v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01661 (N.D. Ohio, filed July 17). Plaintiff Valerie Caruso of Geneva has documented sulfa allergy preventing Bactrim treatment.
867 cases since May per N.C. DHHS Aug. 4; 149 new cases July 28-Aug. 4. State health officials indicate increase not associated with Taco Bell lettuce; parsley and cilantro under investigation as potential sources.
1,705 cases per state health department; 370 lab-confirmed per CDC Aug. 5. Part of outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce.
568 lab-confirmed cases per CDC Aug. 5.
265 lab-confirmed cases per CDC Aug. 5.
995 confirmed and probable cases per state officials; 164 lab-confirmed per CDC Aug. 5.
183 lab-confirmed cases per CDC Aug. 5.
165 lab-confirmed cases per CDC Aug. 5.
126 lab-confirmed cases per CDC Aug. 5.
Key defendants
Pacific Bells, LLC
Role: Franchisee / Restaurant Operator
Named in first-filed complaint Ayyad v. Pacific Bells, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01648 (N.D. Ohio July 16, 2026). Washington-based entity operating North Olmsted, Ohio location. Claims include strict liability, Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act violations, and treble damages. Early posture suggests indemnity claims against upstream suppliers likely.
Taco Bell of America, LLC
Role: Franchisor / Brand Owner
Named in Caruso v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01661 (N.D. Ohio July 17, 2026) and Hercula v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-12524 (E.D. Mich. July 22, 2026). Corporate defendant facing vicarious liability and supply chain oversight theories. Multiple suits in two districts suggest potential MDL consolidation events.
Border Foods, LLC
Role: Franchisee / Restaurant Operator
Named in O'Hara v. Border Foods, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-02183 (W.D. Mich. July 28, 2026). Michigan-based operator. Complaint highlights treatment access failures—second-line drug nitazoxanide backordered—suggesting damages amplification strategy focused on severe/catastrophic injury cases.
| Defendant | Role | Intelligence Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Bells, LLC | Franchisee / Restaurant Operator | Named in first-filed complaint Ayyad v. Pacific Bells, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01648 (N.D. Ohio July 16, 2026). Washington-based entity operating North Olmsted, Ohio location. Claims include strict liability, Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act violations, and treble damages. Early posture suggests indemnity claims against upstream suppliers likely. |
| Taco Bell of America, LLC | Franchisor / Brand Owner | Named in Caruso v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01661 (N.D. Ohio July 17, 2026) and Hercula v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-12524 (E.D. Mich. July 22, 2026). Corporate defendant facing vicarious liability and supply chain oversight theories. Multiple suits in two districts suggest potential MDL consolidation events. |
| Border Foods, LLC | Franchisee / Restaurant Operator | Named in O'Hara v. Border Foods, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-02183 (W.D. Mich. July 28, 2026). Michigan-based operator. Complaint highlights treatment access failures—second-line drug nitazoxanide backordered—suggesting damages amplification strategy focused on severe/catastrophic injury cases. |
Timeline
Related actions filed in California and Ohio
Gelbspan v. Taylor Fresh Foods and Ayyad v. Pacific Bells were filed, according to the July 17 centralization memorandum.
Michigan related action filed
Parrish v. Taco Bell Corp. was filed in the Eastern District of Michigan.
Plaintiffs support centralization
Gelbspan and Granados filed a memorandum supporting centralization of the three related actions in the Northern District of California.
JPML decision
The supplied memorandum requests centralization; no transfer order is established by that source.
Statute of limitations
CDC Health Advisory CDCHAN-00531 issued July 14, 2026. Outbreak illnesses began on or after June 22, 2026. Incubation period 2-14 days; symptom onset dates fix accrual for most claims. Federal preemption not implicated; state law claims proceed. Preserve: grocery receipts, credit card records, loyalty card data, leftover product packaging, and laboratory confirmation of Cyclospora.
Ohio
2 years from injury
Rule: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A); product liability claims accrue when injury occurs
Discovery: Discovery rule applies for latent injuries; cyclosporiasis symptoms typically appear within 2-14 days of exposure
First case filed July 16, 2026: Ayyad v. Pacific Bells, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01648 (N.D. Ohio). Second case filed July 17, 2026: Caruso v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01661 (N.D. Ohio). Claims include strict liability under Ohio Product Liability Act and Consumer Sales Practices Act treble damages.
Michigan
3 years from accrual
Rule: Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2); product liability actions accrue at time of injury unless discovery rule delays accrual
Discovery: Discovery rule applies; plaintiff must exercise reasonable diligence. CDC confirmed outbreak link by July 14, 2026
Federal filings: Hercula v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-12524 (E.D. Mich. filed July 22, 2026); O'Hara v. Border Foods, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-02183 (W.D. Mich. filed July 28, 2026). Michigan identified as likely source state for salad greens per CDC.
⚠Kentucky
1 year from accrual
Rule: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a); personal injury claims accrue when injury occurs
Discovery: Limited discovery rule; statute runs from when injury is discovered or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence
Part of CDC-identified four-state cluster (Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky) with 400+ linked illnesses. Illnesses began on or after June 22, 2026 per CDC. Earliest accrual dates approach one-year mark June 2027.
West Virginia
2 years from accrual
Rule: W. Va. Code § 55-2-12; personal injury actions accrue when injury occurs
Discovery: Discovery rule recognized for latent diseases; cyclosporiasis 2-14 day incubation places accrual at symptom onset
Included in CDC's four-state cluster investigation. No confirmed federal filings identified in search results. Plaintiffs with June 2026 onset dates have until June 2028.
Indiana
2 years from accrual
Rule: Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4; product liability claims subject to same limitations period
Discovery: Discovery rule applies; injury must be discoverable through reasonable diligence
Identified in FDA traceback as outbreak state. No specific federal filings confirmed in search results. Taylor Farms recall included Marketside lettuce sold at Walmart with best-by dates July 18-August 3, 2026.
| State | SOL | Rule | Discovery Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 2 years from injury | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A); product liability claims accrue when injury occurs | Discovery rule applies for latent injuries; cyclosporiasis symptoms typically appear within 2-14 days of exposure | First case filed July 16, 2026: Ayyad v. Pacific Bells, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01648 (N.D. Ohio). Second case filed July 17, 2026: Caruso v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-01661 (N.D. Ohio). Claims include strict liability under Ohio Product Liability Act and Consumer Sales Practices Act treble damages. |
| Michigan | 3 years from accrual | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2); product liability actions accrue at time of injury unless discovery rule delays accrual | Discovery rule applies; plaintiff must exercise reasonable diligence. CDC confirmed outbreak link by July 14, 2026 | Federal filings: Hercula v. Taco Bell of America, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-12524 (E.D. Mich. filed July 22, 2026); O'Hara v. Border Foods, LLC, No. 1:26-cv-02183 (W.D. Mich. filed July 28, 2026). Michigan identified as likely source state for salad greens per CDC. |
| ⚠Kentucky | 1 year from accrual | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a); personal injury claims accrue when injury occurs | Limited discovery rule; statute runs from when injury is discovered or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence | Part of CDC-identified four-state cluster (Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky) with 400+ linked illnesses. Illnesses began on or after June 22, 2026 per CDC. Earliest accrual dates approach one-year mark June 2027. |
| West Virginia | 2 years from accrual | W. Va. Code § 55-2-12; personal injury actions accrue when injury occurs | Discovery rule recognized for latent diseases; cyclosporiasis 2-14 day incubation places accrual at symptom onset | Included in CDC's four-state cluster investigation. No confirmed federal filings identified in search results. Plaintiffs with June 2026 onset dates have until June 2028. |
| Indiana | 2 years from accrual | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4; product liability claims subject to same limitations period | Discovery rule applies; injury must be discoverable through reasonable diligence | Identified in FDA traceback as outbreak state. No specific federal filings confirmed in search results. Taylor Farms recall included Marketside lettuce sold at Walmart with best-by dates July 18-August 3, 2026. |
Live intelligence
AI litigation brief
2026 Cyclosporiasis Outbreak remains pending consolidation with 79 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
MDL 3196 is pending before the JPML with a July 17, 2026 memorandum supporting centralization and transfer to the Northern District of California; no transfer order has issued. Active federal complaints include Giles v. Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. (CAND 5:26-cv-08178, filed Aug. 6, 2026) and Harris v. Taco Bell of America, LLC (filed July 31, 2026), plus at least five additional complaints in N.D. Ohio, E.D. Mich., and W.D. Mich.
Key developments
Trajectory
Court filings and press coverage are both active in MDL 3196, pointing to sustained litigation pressure rather than a one-off headline cycle. 4 live sources are contributing current context.
Editorial intelligence
MDL 3196 should stay on the lead docket watch because it is the primary consolidation vehicle for Cyclosporiasis Outbreak.
Generated Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC
79 events detected
Google News (73)
Litigation Trends to Watch: Algorithmic Pricing Bans, Cyclospora Outbreak and 'Familiar Face Detection' Spark Lawsuits - Law.com
Yet another cyclosporiasis outbreak appears as cases linked to recalled lettuce grow - KX News
Michigan woman files lawsuit against Taco Bell, Taylor Farms over Cyclospora outbreak - clickondetroit.com
Cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled lettuce expands to 15 states - upi.com
Michigan woman files lawsuit against Taco Bell, Taylor Farms over Cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce - clickondetroit.com
More than 20K cyclosporiasis cases suspected in US as outbreak reportedly linked to 6 more states - KX News
Lawsuit filed against company allegedly responsible for cyclospora outbreak - kare11.com
Monroe County man files federal lawsuit after parasite illness - WTVG
'Worst I have literally ever felt': Michigan man part of federal lawsuit over cyclosporiasis outbreak describes illness - wtol.com
Many Michiganders file lawsuits against Taco Bell & Taylor Farms after contracting Cyclosporiasis - WXYZ Channel 7
Warren woman sues Taco Bell, Taylor Farms over alleged Cyclospora illness linked to lettuce - clickondetroit.com
Warren woman 13th to file lawsuit against Taco Bell, Taylor Farms for cyclospora outbreak - The Detroit News
Marler Clark Files Four Federal Lawsuits Over the 2026 Cyclospora Outbreak. Two of the Five Plaintiffs Could Not Take the Only Recommended Treatment, and One of Them Could Not Find the Substitute. - Food Poison Journal
Michigan woman sues Taylor Farms, Border Foods over Cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce - clickondetroit.com
A fourth Michigan lawsuit says Taco Bell, Taylor Farms negligent in Cyclospora outbreak - WWMT
Lawsuits Say Taylor Farms Should Have Known: Complaints Cite a 2013 Cyclospora Outbreak and a 2024 E. Coli Death - Medical Daily
Muskegon woman sues Taco Bell franchisee, lettuce suppliers over Cyclospora outbreak - WZZM13.com
Map Shows Cyclospora Hotspots as Number of Lawsuits Grows - Newsweek
Clinton Twp. couple sues Taco Bell over cyclosporiasis - The Detroit News
More Michigan lawsuits accuse Taylor Farms, Taco Bell of negligence in Cyclospora outbreak - WWMT
Taylor Farms CEO breaks silence over explosive diarrhea outbreak as class-action lawsuit filed - New York Post
Michigan couple sues Taylor Farms, Taco Bell after getting cyclosporiasis - The Detroit News
Taco Bell flooded with lawsuits over diarrhea outbreak - Restaurant Dive
Southfield woman hospitalized sues over cyclosporiasis outbreak, shares ordeal - CBS News
Cyclospora lawsuit: Michigan couple sues Taco Bell, Taylor Farms - FOX 2 Detroit
Lawsuits filed against Taylor Farms and Taco Bell over cyclosporiasis outbreak - KSBW
Michigan woman files lawsuit over cyclosporiasis outbreak - CBS News
Durand couple sues Taco Bell over contracting Cyclosporiasis - WJRT ABC12
RFK Jr says cyclospora outbreak is ‘under control’ after FDA recall reversal - inkl
Attorneys begin filing lawsuits over contaminated lettuce linked to outbreak of cyclospora - ABA Journal
Michigan couple sues Taco Bell, Taylor Farms over Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce - clickondetroit.com
US cyclosporiasis cases top 4,100 as CDC investigates lettuce-linked outbreak - Reuters
Army vet sues Taco Bell after ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite lands him in hospital - NewsNation
As food poisoning cases mount, lawsuits follow - Reuters
Michigan couple suing Taco Bell, Taylor Farms for $75K after cyclosporiasis infection - WWMT
Taco Bell Customers Launch Lawsuits Over Cyclospora Outbreak - Newsweek
Ohio residents sue Taco Bell, say they got cyclospora after eating at restaurants - The Hill
Lawsuits blame Taylor Farms, Taco Bell for cyclospora, while FDA claims false positive - masslive.com
The cyclospora outbreak lawsuits have begun - Business Insider
Retailers Remove More Taylor Farms Lettuce After Recall in 27 States - The New York Times
LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST TAYLOR FARMS AND TACO BELL ON BEHALF OF MICHIGAN COUPLE SICKENED IN CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK LINKED TO LETTUCE - Morningstar
No More Lettuce at Taco Bell: The Parasitic Outbreak Forcing a Menu Overhaul Across Five US States - Open Magazine
Health Matters: Lettuce confirmed as source of U.S. cyclospora outbreak - Global News
Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce amid cyclosporiasis outbreak - NBC News
FDA says Taco Bell to stop using lettuce supplier linked to multistate parasite outbreak - Fox Business
Texas Army veteran describes ongoing illness in lawsuit tied to Taco Bell Cyclospora outbreak - wtol.com
Ohioans join federal lawsuit over parasitic outbreak as Taco Bell, Taylor Farms face scrutiny - 10TV
Taco Bell Faces Federal Lawsuits Over Cyclosporiasis Outbreak - Financial Data - dars.gov.et
Taco Bell Faces Multiple Federal Lawsuits Amid Cyclosporiasis Outbreak - Earnings Preview - po-news-eg.net
Taco Bell Sued By Army Vet Claiming He Was Hospitalized With Cyclosporiasis - TMZ
Man sues Taco Bell over parasitic infection that left him unable to work - independent.co.uk
Taco Bell faces first lawsuits over diarrhea-causing contaminated lettuce - New York Post
Ohio man’s lawsuit adds new twist to growing Taco Bell outbreak - PennLive.com
North Olmsted man sues Taco Bell franchisee after contracting cyclosporiasis - Cleveland.com
Taco Bell Operator Sued After Customer Says Cyclosporiasis Caused ‘Persistent Diarrhea' - Oxygen Official Site
Taco Bell Franchisee Sued Over Cyclospora Outbreak Illness - Bloomberg Law News
Lawsuits: 3 NE Ohioans claim they got sick after eating Taco Bell amid Cyclospora outbreak - FOX 8 News
Ohio man sues Taco Bell franchisee, claiming cyclospora infection left him sick for 2 weeks - Fox Business
Taco Bell, Taylor Farms sued over cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce, attorneys say - WAVE News
First lawsuit filed in Taco Bell Cyclospora outbreak as cases climb over 5,000 in Michigan - clickondetroit.com
Ron Simon & Associates Files First Cyclospora Lawsuit Against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms in One of the Largest Food Poisoning Outbreaks in U.S. History - PR Newswire
Two Ohio lawsuits accuse Taco Bell of major Cyclospora outbreak - Cleveland 19 News
Lawsuits Begin Against Taco Bell—3 And Counting—Over Diarrhea-Causing Cyclosporiasis - Forbes
First Lawsuit in 2026 Multistate Cyclospora Outbreak Filed Against Taco Bell Operator in Ohio Federal Court - Laurel Leader-Call
First lawsuit over Cyclospora outbreak filed in Ohio federal court - wlwt.com
Ohio man sues Taco Bell after chain linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak - The Detroit News
The Cyclospora Outbreak Now Has Two Names on It — Taylor Farms and Taco Bell. Both Have Been Here Before and So Have I - Marler Blog
Is lettuce still safe to eat amid Taco Bell illness probe? Doctors answer - foxnews.com
‘Lettuce or salad greens' could be potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak, health officials say - NBC 5 Chicago
Yum's Taco Bell removes select items, says no confirmed link to US cyclosporiasis outbreak - Reuters
What we know about the cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to produce - PBS
Taco Bell Is No Longer Selling These 5 Menu Items After Parasite Outbreak Causes ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ - Allrecipes
Taco Bell Pulls Fresh Produce Amid Giant Cyclospora Outbreak - Food Poisoning Bulletin
No recent PubMed signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.
Giles v. Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc.
Northern District of California
This is a personal injury/product liability lawsuit against Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc., a primary MDL defendant, directly involving the 2026 Cyclosporiasis outbreak allegations.
Harris v. Taco Bell of America, LLC.
mied
This is a personal injury/product liability lawsuit against Taco Bell of America, LLC directly involving one of the primary MDL defendants in the 2026 Cyclosporiasis Outbreak litigation.
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LexGenius Ranking
70Score
Court, news, and regulatory activity are elevated
Monitoring
Live
monitoring
Last: Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC
Next: —
Source Monitoring
PACER
PACER
Google News
FAERS
PubMed
Event feed
79
events detected
AI Brief
2026 Cyclosporiasis Outbreak remains pending consolidation with 79 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
MDL 3196 is pending before the JPML with a July 17, 2026 memorandum supporting centralization and transfer to the Northern District of California; no transfer order has issued. Active federal complaints include Giles v. Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. (CAND 5:26-cv-08178, filed Aug. 6, 2026) and Harris v. Taco Bell of America, LLC (filed July 31, 2026), plus at least five additional complaints in N.D. Ohio, E.D. Mich., and W.D. Mich.
Key developments
PACER court filing on Aug 6: Giles v. Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc.. ‖ Law.com news on Aug 7: Litigation Trends to Watch: Algorithmic Pricing Bans, Cyclospora Outbreak and 'Familiar Face Detection' Spark Lawsuits - Law.com. ‖ Food Event FDA alert on Mar 16: Food Event 2026-CFS-003876: TAYLOR FARMS ASIAN CASHEW CHOPPED KIT.
Generated Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC
Tracked MDLs
MDL 3196
Pending consolidation2026 Cyclosporiasis outbreak consumer-protection litigation
Motion to Consolidate