Taylor Farms Faces Scrutiny Over Cyclosporiasis Outbreak and Salmonella-Linked Jalapeño Recall

Produce supplier Taylor Farms is under scrutiny for its alleged role in a widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands across the U.S. since May. Public health officials identified the company's lettuce as the source of the outbreak.

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The issue with jalapeños is very, very different. The jalapeños came from a separate grower, handled by a different importer that sold them to a number of different entities.

Adding to its food safety concerns, Taylor Farms recently recalled several products, including pico de gallo and guacamole, due to suspected salmonella contamination in jalapeños. However, Jennifer McEntire, founder of food safety consulting firm Food Safety Strategy, clarified that Taylor Farms did not grow these jalapeños. They were supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, and sold to various entities, including Taylor Farms.

McEntire described the jalapeño situation as an "extremely unfortunate coincidence" for Taylor Farms, as the company happened to receive the contaminated peppers. These jalapeños were used in products distributed to major U.S. retailers like Kroger, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods.

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They happened to receive these jalapeños, so it puts them in the news once again.

While acknowledging public alarm over these outbreaks, McEntire stressed that U.S. food safety monitoring systems are largely effective and that the nation's food supply is "remarkably safe." She noted that the increased public focus on food safety could drive positive changes within the industry, which prioritizes the safety of produce consumed fresh or raw.

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Food safety has always been the industry's main concern because people eat produce fresh or raw.