Lawmaker Investigates Taylor Farms CEO Over Cyclospora Outbreak and Alleged White House Influence

A leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee is scrutinizing Taylor Farms, demanding answers about the company's alleged influence on the federal response to a nationwide cyclospora outbreak.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee's ranking member, sent a letter to Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor, questioning the lettuce producer's role in an outbreak that has sickened thousands of people across dozens of states. Garcia's inquiry adds to the growing pressure on both the company and federal agencies handling the crisis.

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Taylor Farms donated millions to President Trump, met privately with the White House the night the FDA identified their lettuce as the source of this outbreak and then reportedly tried to distance themselves from this outbreak. Thousands of Americans became sick. Trust in our public health system is on the line. The American people deserve to know Taylor Farms' full role in this outbreak, and we're demanding answers.

Garcia stated that Taylor Farms donated millions to President Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., and met privately with the White House shortly after the FDA identified the company's lettuce as the outbreak's source. "Thousands of Americans became sick. Trust in our public health system is on the line. The American people deserve to know Taylor Farms' full role in this outbreak, and we're demanding answers," Garcia told CBS News.

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Any notion that the White House or Trump administration would ever compromise on the health and safety of the American people is absolutely false.

The White House, however, dismissed Garcia's claims. Spokesman Kush Desai asserted, "Any notion that the White House or Trump administration would ever compromise on the health and safety of the American people is absolutely false." Taylor Farms did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Garcia's letter also claimed that evidence points to Taylor Farms products as the outbreak's source, and reports suggest the company may have tried to influence the FDA investigation, obscure its role, and mislead consumers. The lawmaker is requesting all communications between Taylor Farms and federal agencies regarding cyclospora, as well as any White House communications since January 21, and documents related to the company's safety protocols.

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Evidence points to Taylor Farms products as a source of the outbreak, but reports indicate that your company may have attempted to influence the ongoing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into the matter, obfuscate Taylor Farms' role in a public health crisis and mislead consumers trying to keep their families safe.