Taylor Farms Withdraws Iceberg Lettuce from US Market Due to Cyclosporiasis Concerns

Food producer Taylor Farms has announced that it is “voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the US market” in response to a Cyclospora outbreak. Reports indicate that Taylor Farms informed clients, including major fast-food chains and food distributors, to withdraw shredded lettuce produced in 5-pound bags at a facility in Guanajuato, Mexico.

One of the affected clients stated that the contaminated ingredient is being removed from their supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select areas. The Cyclospora parasite affects the small intestine, with an incubation period of one to two weeks, leading to symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms that can recur.

While not all reported cases are linked to the fast-food chain, Taylor Farms is a significant player in the produce market, generating over $7 billion in sales annually and supplying a large portion of salad kits found in grocery stores. However, the company’s name often doesn’t appear on these products. The CDC is currently investigating the outbreak’s extent and has noted that it is also looking into unrelated illnesses in other states.

Taylor Farms stated:
> Based on information provided yesterday by the FDA, Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
> While the FDA traceback indicates 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.

No other companies or products have been identified for avoidance at this time. The tracing efforts are reportedly hampered by a reduction in consumer safety specialists due to funding cuts, which has affected the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network.

Additionally, the FDA recently postponed the compliance deadline for its Food Traceability Final Rule, which could have facilitated quicker identification of the farm linked to the outbreak. This situation follows reports from the CDC and FDA linking the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Michigan alone has over 5,000 reported cases, with 102 hospitalizations.

The FDA has stated, “FDA and state partners are actively investigating the source and scope of the contamination. Because the investigation remains ongoing, additional implicated brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels may be identified as the investigation continues.”