The Taylor Farms Recall has expanded after federal health officials linked shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by the California-based produce company to a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, prompting the company to initiate a broader recall affecting products distributed across 27 U.S. states.
Taylor Farms said Friday it is voluntarily recalling iceberg lettuce from central Mexico after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation tied the outbreak to a single supplier. This follows a previous market withdrawal and significantly expands the company’s response as public health officials continue to investigate the source and extent of the contamination.
The shredded iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak was distributed across a wide range of states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
According to the FDA, its traceback investigation identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico as the likely source. While officials continue to assess whether additional products or distribution channels may be affected, Taylor Farms said it will move forward with a formal recall and has decided to remove all iceberg lettuce sourced from the implicated region indefinitely.
Addressing the situation, the company said the FDA’s findings point to “a specific independent farm” that accounts for less than one percent of the total U.S. iceberg lettuce supply. Despite the limited scope, the Taylor Farms recall has been expanded as a precautionary measure. The company said it is removing all iceberg lettuce from the affected region “out of an abundance of caution” while the investigation continues. Taylor Farms also clarified that its branded salad kits are not impacted, as they do not contain the implicated iceberg lettuce.
The larger Taylor Farms recall follows federal investigators linking some of the lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by the company to one of the largest cyclosporiasis outbreaks reported in the United States this summer. The link drew a lot of attention to the company’s supply chain and resulted in swift action from regulators and the company.
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Federal investigators linked illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants, bringing the outbreak to national attention for the first time. Taco Bell later removed the affected lettuce from its supply chain and replaced the ingredient at affected locations, working with public health officials.
The recent Taylor Farms recall is far more extensive than the original caution issued for restaurant customers. A formal recall involves distributors and customers locating and retrieving affected products that are already in commerce, which is more of a food safety response than a voluntary product removal.
Federal investigators at Taylor Farms recall believing the situation remains fluid. As the traceback investigation continues, the FDA said other restaurants, retailers, brands, or distribution channels may be identified. Consumers are asked to be aware of updates when new information becomes available. Sysco, a major food distributor that serves restaurants, hospitals, schools, and other institutions nationally, said it has temporarily suspended some iceberg lettuce products from Mexico as a precautionary measure.
As highlighted in the ongoing Taylor Farms Recall, cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Common symptoms include prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Symptoms typically develop about one week after exposure and may persist for several weeks if left untreated. The illness has historically been associated with fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs, and berries.
In the wider context of the Taylor Farms recall, the company has previously been the subject of food safety investigations related to fresh produce. Taylor Farms de Mexico was implicated in part of a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak in 2013 that involved salad mix served at restaurant chains, although federal investigators later determined that the larger outbreak had multiple sources. The company has been drawn into other produce-related food safety probes recently, adding to scrutiny on its supply chain practices.
Health officials are advising consumers to avoid any recalled products and to follow FDA guidance as more information on the recalls becomes available. If you’ve had diarrhea or other symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis for more than a few days after eating potentially affected food, seek medical attention, as lab testing and prescription treatment may be needed.
The Taylor Farms recall is an ongoing situation. Federal agencies, state health departments, and food distributors are still working with the company to determine the full extent of the contamination and are also trying to trace back further to prevent more people from getting sick. The FDA said it will share more details about the recall as the investigation moves forward.
