July 17, 2026

CDC links Taco Bell iceberg lettuce to cyclospora; don't eat it in 5 states

Federal investigators tie shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia to the surging outbreak as Michigan alone tops 4,312 cases and 102 hospitalizations. Plus Target recalls 211,000 Cat & Jack toddler sandals over a pearl choking hazard, Panasonic recalls 11,480 toaster ovens over shock and fire risk, SDADI toddler step stools are recalled after four injuries, and CPSC warns 53,500 Houswise tabletop fire pits can flame-jet and cause third-degree burns.

The biggest food safety story in the country just got a name on it. For two weeks the cyclospora outbreak had a suspect (lettuce) but no source. Now the CDC and FDA have pointed at a specific chain and a specific product, and the advice is blunt enough to act on today.

CDC ties Taco Bell iceberg lettuce to cyclospora outbreak

The CDC and FDA said Thursday that shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to a regional cyclosporiasis outbreak concentrated in the Midwest. The CDC's update is unusually direct: "Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia" (CNN, July 16).

This is the first time investigators have attached a restaurant and a produce item to the outbreak. As of the CDC's July 14 briefing, lettuce was only a leading suspect with no confirmed source, restaurant, or supplier. The FDA is investigating iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms as a possible source, according to a person familiar with the investigation (NBC News, July 16). Taylor Farms has not been officially confirmed by the agencies, and the FDA says additional states may be added. Taco Bell said it has voluntarily removed the suspected lettuce from its supply chain nationwide "indefinitely" and will replace it in selected states within a day.

The numbers keep climbing. Michigan alone reports 4,312 cases as of July 16, a jump of more than 500 in a single day, with 102 people hospitalized, more than double the 44 hospitalizations counted a week earlier (CBS Detroit, Michigan MDHHS). Nationwide the CDC counts 1,645 lab-confirmed cases across 34 states plus more than 5,100 under investigation, roughly 7,000 in all, with no deaths. The agency expects illnesses to keep rising through the end of August.

There is still no recall, because no specific bagged product or brand has been confirmed for the national outbreak. What to do if you are in the affected region: skip Taco Bell shredded lettuce in those five states, and follow Michigan's standing advice for lettuce at home, which is buy whole heads rather than bagged or pre-mixed kits, discard the outer two to three layers, wash the inner leaves under running water, and cook greens to 158 degrees Fahrenheit when you can, since the parasite resists routine washing and chemical disinfection. The CDC's outbreak page is the place to watch for new states (CDC).

Target recalls 211,000 Cat & Jack toddler sandals over choking hazard

If you bought cheap sandals at Target this spring, check the shoe rack. Target is recalling about 211,000 pairs of Cat & Jack Toddler Girls' Sequerah Sandals because the decorative plastic pearls can fall off, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a choking hazard (CPSC, July 16).

The recalled sandals are tan with two raffia straps, gold buckles, and plastic pearls, sold in children's sizes 5T through 12T, with the Cat & Jack brand printed on the sole and bottom. Target has received 23 reports of pearls falling off. No injuries have been reported. They were sold at Target stores nationwide and on target.com from January through May 2026 for about $20, recall number 26-629.

What to do: take the sandals away from children immediately and contact Target for a full refund. You can return them to any Target store or use a prepaid label to mail them back. Target's recall line is 800-591-3869, and the list is at target.com under Recalls (Target product recalls).

Panasonic recalls 11,480 toaster ovens over shock and fire risk

Panasonic is recalling about 11,480 Electric Toaster Ovens, model NB-G200, because the power cord insulation can be insufficient when a protective fiberglass sleeve does not cover it adequately, posing a risk of shock and fire (CPSC, July 16).

The ovens are stainless steel with the temperature knob on the bottom, six preset cooking menus, a digital timer up to 25 minutes, and temperature settings from 250 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The model number is on the name plate label on the back. Panasonic has received four reports of tripped circuit breakers or outlets and one report that the oven stopped working. No fires or injuries have been reported. About 2,184 more were sold in Canada.

They were sold on Amazon.com, Costco.com, Panasonic.com, and other online platforms from October 2024 through April 2026 for about $170, recall number 26-618. What to do: stop using the oven immediately and contact Panasonic for a full refund at 888-943-2391, Panasonic6895@sedgwick.com, or shop.panasonic.com/toaster-oven-recall.

SDADI toddler step stools recalled over entrapment and fall after four injuries

If yesterday's Boon PIVOT toddler tower recall put step stools on your radar, here is another kitchen step stool for young children, and this one comes with injuries. Yiwushi Bihe Trading is recalling about 5,952 SDADI Kitchen Step Stools because the wooden standing towers can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child's torso can fit through the openings on the front and back, posing a risk of serious injury or death from tip-over, fall, and entrapment hazards (CPSC, July 16).

The stools were sold under model numbers LT05 and LT01 in gray, white, espresso, pink, and natural wood, measuring about 35 inches high. The importer is aware of eight reports of instability or tip-overs, including four reported injuries such as scrapes, cuts, and bruises. They were sold on Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy online from April 2024 through September 2025 for between $45 and $155.

This is also a warning that became a recall. CPSC issued a stop-use warning on April 23 for about 3,600 Bauhini SDADI stools over the same instability, when the seller would not cooperate. The full recall now covers 5,952 units with a refund. What to do: stop using the stool, store it away from children, and contact Yiwushi Bihe Trading for a full refund through the CPSC notice. The toddler-tower category keeps generating recalls, and Consumer Reports has found multiple brands fail a basic 35-pound stability test.

CPSC warns 53,500 Houswise tabletop fire pits can flame-jet and cause third-degree burns

Tabletop fire pits are a summer patio item, and CPSC says one brand can maim you. The agency is warning consumers to stop using Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits immediately because they can produce uncontrolled pool fires, where flames burn across spilled alcohol, and flame jetting, where a hidden flame ignites vapor inside a fuel container as you pour, propelling burning liquid onto you or bystanders (CPSC, July 16).

CPSC is aware of more than two dozen reports of flame jetting, fuel leaking, and unexpectedly high flames, resulting in seven injuries including third-degree burns. At least 53,500 were sold. The pits come in rectangular, round, or square bases under the model names Vesper, Altair, Quad, and Astra, in colors including marble, black, light gray, and dark gray, some sold with skewers and cheese boards. They were sold on Houswise.com, Amazon, and Walmart since March 2023.

This is a warning, not a recall, because the manufacturer, Furmia LLC, has not agreed to recall the product or offer a remedy. CPSC says liquid fuels like isopropyl and ethanol can burn above 1,600 degrees and cause third-degree burns in under one second. What to do: stop using the pit, dispose of it, and do not sell or give it away. There is no refund. Report any incident to SaferProducts.gov.

Madewell recalls 5,900 women's sweaters over burn hazard

Madewell is recalling about 5,900 women's sweaters that violate the mandatory flammability standard for clothing textiles, posing a risk of serious burn injuries or death (CPSC via PR Newswire, July 16). The recall covers the Women's Double V-Neck Sweater and the V-Neck Cardigan. To check yours, look for the tag beneath the care label on the left inside seam: if it lists style number NT611 or NT612 with the season identifier HO24, it is recalled. There has been one report of a sweater catching fire and no injuries. They were sold online at Madewell and at T.J. Maxx from December 2024 through October 2025 for $138 to $148. What to do: stop wearing it, contact Madewell for a full refund in the original payment form or store credit, then cut the sweater in half, email a photo to 24-7@madewell.com, and dispose of it. Madewell's line is 866-544-1937 (Madewell product recall).

Tracking

• Kia Telluride fire recall: Vehicle Identification Numbers for the 462,869-vehicle 2020 to 2024 Telluride fire recall become searchable today, July 17, on NHTSA.gov. Owners are still advised to park outside until dealers install an electronic fuse, with letters mailing August 13. This recall replaces a 2024 fix that failed.

• Clover Hill cheese listeria: The outbreak holds at 12 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and 1 death in Maryland, unchanged since late June. The La Ceiba requeson sold under La Colonia and Selectos Latinos labels passed its July 10 expiration, so throw it out if any remains. Affected cheese may have been repacked under Kesso, Quesos la Ricura, Izalco, De mi Pueblo, or Rio Lindo (CDC).

• Nara Organics infant formula botulism: Holds at four hospitalized infants in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. No new cases in the past month. The FDA's July 13 letter to the formula industry urging stronger supplier oversight remains the last development. Recall covers all lots sold at Target and Nara.com from July 2025 through June 2026 (CDC).

• California Dairies powdered milk salmonella: The cascade is in its fourth month with zero illnesses. The original April 20 recall covered 2.7 million pounds of nonfat dry milk, reaching more than eight downstream brands including Zapp's and Dirty chips, Ghirardelli mixes, and Target Good & Gather trail mix (FDA).