The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history has officially ended. The foodborne parasite illness sickened 12,833 people across 21 states during a recent surge, contributing to a total of 19,595 cases this season. Michigan was notably the epicenter, reporting two deaths linked to the outbreak.

Health authorities traced the source of the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms in Mexico. Taylor Farms issued a recall of the affected lettuce in July, and several retailers including Walmart removed the product from shelves. Additionally, Taco Bell, which used the implicated lettuce in its menu items, also voluntarily pulled it from its restaurants to prevent further illness.

The outbreak has intensified scrutiny on America’s food safety systems, alerting regulators and policymakers to issues around staffing, funding, and oversight at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It also raised concerns about the consolidation within the food supply industry and its potential impacts on contamination risks and outbreak response.

Economic effects were felt in the food service industry, particularly at establishments known for serving fresh, shredded lettuce. Restaurant chains like Taco Bell experienced declines in sales as customers grew wary of consuming leafy greens. Grocery stores also saw lettuce prices drop sharply amid consumer caution around fresh produce safety during the outbreak.