Taco Bell removes Taylor Farms lettuce amid cyclosporiasis outbreak; producer clarifies: ‘We are committed to…’
Taco Bell issued a statement saying it would remove all taylor farm Lettuce in their store cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“We want you to hear from us. We take your health and safety seriously and have removed all affected Taylor Farms lettuce from Taco Bell stores. So go ahead and enjoy your Taco Bell today. You always have our back. We always have your back. Drive-thru,” Taco Bell wrote on the X.
The announcement comes even as Taylor Farms announced they would be withdrawing all lettuce “from central Mexico” from the U.S. market.
“As a family-owned company, we are deeply concerned for those who have fallen ill, their families, and for Americans whose trust in the safety of fresh produce has been shaken,” they said in a statement posted on their website. Company websiteand X.
“Based on information provided by the FDA yesterday, Taylor Farms Mexico is voluntarily removing all icebergs Lettuce comes from central Mexico from the US market. “While FDA traceability identified a specific independent farm (accounting for less than 1% of U.S. iceberg lettuce supply) as the potential source of the outbreak, we have indefinitely removed all iceberg lettuce from that area,” they continued.
The company clarified: “None of the Taylor Farms brand salads or kits are related to this outbreak. None of the Taylor Farms brand salad kits contain iceberg lettuce.”
“We are committed to doing everything we can to resolve this matter, support ongoing investigations and help restore trust,” they concluded.
What is a cyclosporiasis outbreak?
A multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, linked to the parasite Cyclospora, has affected many people since May.
Michigan has reported a large number of cases and is one of 30 states affected by the outbreak. Cases have also been reported in Ohio, Illinois and New York. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue and weight loss. Although the infection is rarely fatal, dehydration may occur and require hospitalization, especially in vulnerable populations.
What you need to know about Taylor Farms
Headquartered in Salinas, California, Taylor Farms is one of the largest producers of fresh-cut vegetables, bagged salads and ready-to-eat produce in the United States.
It was founded in 1995 by Bruce Taylor, a third-generation produce industry veteran. Taylor previously founded Fresh Express. Since then, Taylor Farms has experienced dramatic expansion.
Currently, Taylor Farms has more than 20 processing plants in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe, employing approximately 20,000-25,000 workers. The company partners with hundreds of family farms to supply millions of servings of fresh produce every week. Their official website states: “At Taylor Farms, we challenge ourselves every day from field to fork to grow our business responsibly, lead by example, and earn trust through our actions. Our ability to create a path to healthy lives depends on the health of our business.”
It added: “As a leading global producer of salads and healthy fresh foods, with production facilities across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Western Europe, our business provides an excellent opportunity to create positive, lasting social and environmental impact.”
