Salad and Go Closes Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Concerns

The restaurant chain Salad and Go has decided to shut down all its locations on Wednesday. This decision follows a bankruptcy filing and a widespread Cyclospora outbreak that has affected thousands across the United States. Salad and Go operates 70 drive-thru outlets in Arizona and Nevada.

Founded in 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona, the chain specializes in made-to-order salads. Despite not being directly implicated in the Cyclospora outbreak, Salad and Go cited pressure on consumer demand, strategic growth hurdles, and rising expenses as reasons for its closure. The outbreak has undermined industry confidence, exacerbating existing challenges for the company.

Salad and Go clarified on its website that it neither uses shredded iceberg lettuce nor sources ingredients from suppliers linked to the outbreak. Earlier in the year, the company announced a plan to shut down all Texas and Oklahoma locations to focus on operations in Arizona.

Multistate Cyclospora Outbreak Update

There has been a steady increase in cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, since May 1. States such as Michigan and Ohio report the highest number of cases. Michigan officials confirmed the first two fatalities associated with the outbreak. Both victims had pre-existing health issues that cyclosporiasis and dehydration could have aggravated, stated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The CDC announced that it received reports of 10,468 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis. Additionally, there are 12,255 cases that remain unconfirmed or under investigation. Ohio and Michigan report a significant number of these cases. The true number of illnesses is likely higher as many infections remain undiagnosed or unreported. Increases in Cyclospora cases generally occur between May and August. However, cases in 2026 significantly exceed those from the same timeframe in 2025.

The CDC is probing multiple clusters in a multistate outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. This outbreak significantly contributes to the rise in Cyclospora cases this year. Taylor Farms supplied the iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak.

Initially, federal health officials traced the outbreak to Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Later, the FDA identified affected consumers in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Taco Bell removed iceberg lettuce from its U.S. outlets on July 17, sourced from Taylor Farms. On the same day, Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary lettuce recall originated from central Mexico, impacting 27 states.

The investigation continues, and officials note that other brands, restaurants, or distribution channels could be linked to illnesses.

Understanding Cyclospora

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food through contact with feces, often occurring when produce gets irrigated or washed with contaminated water. Consuming this parasite leads to intestinal illness, featuring symptoms such as frequent, otherwise unexpected bowel movements, according to the CDC.

This story is ongoing. More information will follow.