The cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce has sickened thousands nationally and killed two Michigan residents since Greenwich Beacon first reported the recall July 18, with Connecticut now confirming 77 cases and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal demanding a federal investigation into the company behind the tainted produce.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health reported the 77-case figure as of Monday, August 3. Nationally, the CDC has confirmed 6,707 laboratory cases and 423 hospitalizations since May 1, with nearly 18,000 total confirmed or probable cases across 45 states.
Two Michigan residents have died. Both had significant underlying health conditions "that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration," the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said.
Western Connecticut hit hardest
Greenwich sits in the Western Connecticut Planning Region, which as of July 28 accounted for 35 of the state's cases, the largest share of any region, according to WFSB. No town-by-town breakdown is publicly available.
Connecticut's total is more than double the 26 cases reported through the same period in 2025.
Blumenthal alleges political interference
Speaking at the state capitol in Hartford on Monday, August 3, Blumenthal alleged that Taylor Farms, the Salinas, California-based produce giant that initiated the July 17 recall, contributed $1 million to a Trump super PAC and lobbied the White House to delay the recall announcement.
"The call to the White House by Taylor Farms reeks of impropriety and perhaps illegality, and that's why I'm demanding information from the acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration as well as Taylor Farms," Blumenthal said, according to CT Public Radio.
Blumenthal is not alone. House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia sent a letter to Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor on Monday, July 27, alleging the company may have leveraged political donations to influence the FDA's investigation, according to Food Safety Magazine. Garcia's letter set a Monday, August 10, deadline for the company to produce internal documents.
In a statement responding to the congressional inquiry in late July, Taylor Farms said it remains confident in its food safety systems and will continue to share information as it becomes available. The company said it will not source iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for the rest of the growing season.
What Greenwich residents should know
The recalled products include Walmart Marketside Iceberg Salad (12 oz. and 24 oz.) and Shredded Lettuce (8 oz. and 16 oz.) with best-if-used-by dates between July 18 and August 3. Taylor Farms says anything currently on store shelves is not part of the recall.
Connecticut DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani noted that cyclospora has historically been linked to other fresh produce beyond lettuce, including bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions.
The CDC's outbreak investigation remains open. The agency estimates a six-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting, meaning the national count will continue to climb. Residents experiencing prolonged diarrhea or dehydration should contact their primary care provider.
