Background

On July 17 2026, Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market because it has the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. The recall was issued following a multi-state outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV.

While the situation is ongoing, affected product was not distributed in California.

How Does this Impact California?

California is not among the states currently experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. There are no known local outbreaks in California. California Department of Public Health continues to closely monitor for domestically acquired cases and outbreaks and encourage preventative measures including following safe food and water practices and thoroughly washing produce.

California has had 41 cases of Cyclosporiasis between January and June of this year, none of which have been linked to the multi-state outbreak. The 2026 cases are below the historical average of about 100 cases per year in California.

Affected States

The shredded iceberg product was distributed June 29th thru July 16th in AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI.

Michigan remains the epicenter of the outbreak, having reported more than 7,000 cases and 102 hospitalizations as of July 22, 2026.

Recalled Marketside-brand iceberg products were sold at select Walmart stores in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, OK, TN, TX, VA, WV. 

Any Taco Bell locations that received recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico were affected. This includes, at least IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV. Additional states may be added to this advisory as more information becomes available. Taco Bell has indicated they are no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as of July 17, 2026.  

What Should Retailers Do?

While there is no directive for California retailers at this time, all recalled products should be removed from distribution and sale in affected states.

Retailers should continue practicing basic food safety practices, including good personal hygiene and frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils.

What is Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection that spreads when people ingest food or water contaminated with stool.

Incubation

People begin to experience symptoms of cyclosporiasis about one week (ranging as soon as 2 days to 2 weeks or more) after consuming food or drinking water containing Cyclospora.

Some infected persons are asymptomatic, particularly in settings where cyclosporiasis is endemic.

Symptoms

Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea, with frequent bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, and fever may be noted.

Resources

• Taylor Farms Recall Notice – July 17, 2026
• FDA Recall Notice
• FDA Investigation: Cyclospora Outbreak
• CDC Cyclospora Outbreak Situation Report
• FMI Cyclospora Backgrounder
• CDPH: California Not Among States Experiencing Increased Cyclosporiasis Cases 

With more than a million tourists expected to enter the United States for the FIFA World Cup, the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department has shared with CGA a guide for businesses on what to expect and how the city is prepared to mitigate potential logistical challenges.

Download the guide below and reach out to CGA’s Tim James if you need additional information or have concerns.

Spark: Igniting a Store Culture of Excellence

Store leaders are doing some of the hardest and most important work in grocery: managing teams, serving customers, solving problems in real time, and keeping the store stocked and staffed amid constant pressure and change. Whether they are brand new to leadership or have been leading teams for years, their impact is felt in every aisle, every department, every shift, and every customer interaction.

In this interactive leadership workshop, participants will explore how to build a store culture where people feel energized, trusted, clear, connected, and proud of the work they do together. Through a blend of keynote-style inspiration, hands-on instruction, practical reflection, and real-world application, leaders will gain strategies for growing in their roles, empowering their teams, navigating challenging situations with confidence, leading with empathy, and elevating the customer experience throughout the store.

Rather than offering abstract culture theory, this session focuses on the everyday leadership moments that shape performance: the rushed shift change, the missed expectation, the stressed-out team member, the difficult customer interaction, the hard conversation, and the small win that either gets noticed or disappears into the noise. Participants will leave with practical tools to strengthen trust, accountability, resilience, connection, and excellence in the day-to-day realities of grocery leadership. 

Key Takeaways

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Grow their leadership impact in the everyday moments that shape store culture
   Recognize how tone, trust, clarity, presence, and follow-through influence the energy and effectiveness of their teams. 
2. Empower teams through clarity, ownership, and practical accountability
   Learn how to set expectations in ways that reduce confusion, increase follow-through, and help team members take greater pride in their work. 
3. Navigate challenging situations with confidence and curiosity
   Approach problems, pressure, and breakdowns in ways that reduce defensiveness, strengthen trust, and improve how the team works together. 
4. Lead with empathy while still driving performance
   Strengthen the ability to notice pressure, support people well, and create a culture where care and high standards work together instead of competing. 
5. Elevate the customer experience by strengthening the team experience
   Understand how energized, connected, and trusted teams create better interactions, stronger service, and a more excellent store environment.

Chris Failla

Founder & Lead Facilitator, See the Human, LLC

Chris Failla is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, leadership coach, and Gallup-certified Strengths Consultant. He worked in mental health for five years in China, and has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Chris has worked with leaders and teams on every inhabited continent, and helps humans from all industries find their WHY, stress-proof their life, and play to their strengths, so that they are energized, fulfilled, and productive!

Chris has been married to Sarah for over 20 years, and they have three boys. As a family they enjoy traveling (he’s been to over 50 countries and speaks three languages), time in the snow, and planning their next adventure.

This March California’s grocery community will come together for CGA’s premiere advocacy event, Grocers Day at the Capitol. With the industry facing a slate of proposed bills that would undermine affordability, this is our opportunity to use our collective voice to educate lawmakers on why Californians pay the highest grocery prices in the country.

For the second year in a row, the industry is contending with a bill targeting so-called “surveillance pricing.” On this important day of advocacy we’ll squash misconceptions and educate lawmakers on the realities of “surveillance pricing” and lobby industry priorities including pennies, protections around SNAP, and CGA-sponsored legislation regarding compostable pre-checkout bags.

In addition to our face-to-face meetings with lawmakers, our morning program will include policy briefings and two panel discussions, see descriptions below. We hope to see you in Sacramento on Wednesday, March 25. Register below or reach out to Tim James with questions.

A Conversation With the Problem Solvers

CGA will host a panel discussion with Juan Alanis and Anamarie Avila‑Farias of the California Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral caucus of members putting policy before politics. The legislators will reflect on the final year of the 2025–2026 legislative session, offering insights into the caucus’s approach to addressing California’s most pressing policy challenges. The conversation will explore legislative priorities heading into the end of session and what they mean for businesses, communities, and the state’s economy—including issues impacting California’s grocery industry.

Election Outlook: Inside a Crowded Governor’s Race

While California’s race to succeed Governor Newsom is a crowded one, it lacks star power. Come the primary in June, eight Democrats and two Republicans will be on the ballot. The two recipients that earn the most votes in the primary, regardless of party, will advance to the general election this November. A panel of top political consults including Mike Madrid (GrassrootsLab), Josh Walters (Walters Strategies), and Hector Barajas (Amplify 360 Inc) will join CGA to offer their insights on the upcoming governor’s race.

Grocers Day Agenda:

• 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast 
• 8:30 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. Morning Program 
• 11:45 a.m. Lunch Buffet 
• 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Legislative Meetings
  • 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social
• 5 – 7 p.m. President’s Reception
  • 6 p.m. Legislative Bagging Competition