Taylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak
Iceberg Lettuce Recalled Amid Major Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Taylor Farms Takes Precautionary Measures
Taylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce linked – Taylor Farms announced on Friday that it is voluntarily pulling iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico. This decision comes after the produce was connected to one of the most significant cyclosporiasis outbreaks recorded in the United States over recent years. The agricultural company issued a formal statement explaining their actions.
“While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm, which 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,” the company said in a statement.
The recall affects a relatively small portion of the nation’s iceberg lettuce production, but the company chose to err on the side of caution. This proactive approach demonstrates Taylor Farms’ commitment to consumer safety during the ongoing investigation.
Regulatory Investigation Progresses
The Food and Drug Administration released a statement on Friday evening confirming that its traceback investigation pinpointed a single supplier: Taylor Farms de Mexico. Federal health officials advised consumers to avoid consuming shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico at Taco Bell locations across five states while the investigation remains active.
“Taylor Farms also informed FDA that they would initiate a recall. More information will be provided as it becomes available,” the FDA said.
Meanwhile, Taylor Farms clarified that none of its branded salads or meal kits contain iceberg lettuce and are therefore not connected to this particular outbreak. This distinction helps consumers understand which products are affected and which remain safe for consumption.
Taco Bell Responds Swiftly
On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified lettuce supplied to select Taco Bell restaurants as a potential source of the multistate outbreak. This discovery came more than a month after initial cases began appearing across the country.
A source with knowledge of the investigation told CBS News on Thursday that the supplier was Salinas, California-based Taylor Farms. The iceberg lettuce in question was distributed to Taco Bell establishments in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, according to CDC records.
Taco Bell confirmed that as of Friday, July 17, it had completed the removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from all its restaurants. The fast-food chain emphasized that this action was taken out of an abundance of caution.
“Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell worked swiftly to voluntarily remove the product from restaurants and the affected ingredient has been removed from our supply chain nationwide,” Taco Bell Corp. said Friday in a statement.
The company further noted that they took this action to ensure customers could continue enjoying their favorite menu items safely. Taco Bell also expressed pride in acting quickly and proactively to protect guests throughout the crisis.
Economic Impact Becomes Evident
Recent data indicates that sales at the fast-food chain have experienced a noticeable decline amid the outbreak. According to Consumer Edge, which compiles spending information based on credit and debit transactions, year-over-year sales growth at Taco Bell reached 4.2% in the week ending July 11. This represents the slowest growth rate since April.
“Our data still shows positive year-over-year sales growth for Taco Bell, but that growth has slowed very recently,” Michael Gunther, senior vice president of research and market intelligence at Consumer Edge, told CBS News in an email.
Gunther suggested that concerns about the outbreak could be responsible for the slower growth trajectory. Additionally, separate data from software company Placer.ai reveals that the outbreak may be dampening foot traffic at Taco Bell and other fast-food chains with lettuce-heavy menus.
“While we only have a few days of data to work with, cyclospora headlines and product removals at some QSR [quick service restaurant] chains appear to be weighing modestly on visitation,” the analytical team for Placer.ai said in an email.
Outbreak Reaches Across the Nation
The cyclosporiasis outbreak, first reported in May, has now spread to 34 states, sickening at least 1,644 people according to CDC figures. However, the CDC’s tally appears to lag behind state health departments, which have reported substantially larger numbers of cases.
For example, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 5,000 confirmed cases as of Friday. No deaths have been associated with the outbreak so far.
“As a family-owned company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the Americans whose trust in the safety of fresh produce has been shaken,” Taylor Farms said in its statement Friday.
The company added that it remains committed to addressing the issue comprehensively, supporting the ongoing investigation, and helping restore public confidence in fresh produce safety.
The Department of Health and Human Services continues to monitor the situation closely. Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for HHS, emphasized that the investigation remains active and additional states, restaurants, retailers, or products may be identified as more information becomes available.
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Most people recover without treatment, though some may require medication. The illness can last from a few days to several weeks, and in rare cases, symptoms may recur months after initial infection.
Food safety experts recommend that consumers wash all fresh produce thoroughly before consumption. Those experiencing symptoms after eating potentially contaminated lettuce should contact their healthcare provider. Public health officials continue to urge vigilance as the investigation unfolds and more details emerge about the scope and source of the outbreak.