Taylor Farms Takes Proactive Measures to Address Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Taylor Farms, a leading global producer of salads and healthy fresh foods, has announced that it will be removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. This move comes after federal officials traced the cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has caused illness in thousands of people, to lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants in five states.

Source: cdnph.upi.com

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have confirmed that the shredded iceberg lettuce was sourced from Taylor Farms, a supplier that also sells salad kits in grocery stores. The agencies have issued a statement warning consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

According to the CDC’s website, more than 1,600 people have been confirmed ill with the bug. While the investigation remains active, and additional states, restaurants, retailers, or products may be identified as more information becomes available, Taylor Farms has taken the proactive step of removing all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely.

Taylor Farms’ Statement

While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm that represents less than 1% of the U.S.’s iceberg lettuce supply as the potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers.

Taylor Farms has a long history of producing high-quality salads and healthy fresh foods. The company has production facilities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Western Europe. Despite this, Taylor Farms has been linked to several outbreaks in the past, including an E. coli outbreak in 2024, an E. coli outbreak in 2015, a cyclosporiasis outbreak in 2013, and an E. coli outbreak in 2013.

Taco Bell’s Response

Taco Bell Corp. has also taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states. The affected ingredient from their supplier is being indefinitely removed from their supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.

Taco Bell has a strong commitment to food safety and has taken this step to ensure the well-being of their customers. The company has a robust food safety program in place to prevent and respond to foodborne illnesses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Taylor Farms has taken the proactive step of removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market in response to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. This move demonstrates the company’s commitment to food safety and the well-being of its customers. As the investigation remains active, it is essential to continue monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautions to prevent further illness.