Taylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce linked to major U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak

Taylor Farms has announced the voluntary removal of all iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico following its connection to a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S. The company stated that while the FDA traceback indicates a specific independent farm, representing less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply, as the potential source, Taylor Farms has decided to halt all shipments from the region indefinitely.

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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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified lettuce supplied to select Taco Bell restaurants as the source of the multistate outbreak, which began appearing in May. According to the CDC, at least 1,644 people have been sickened across 34 states. However, state health departments report much higher numbers, with Michigan alone confirming over 5,000 cases as of Friday. No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.

Taco Bell had already removed the potentially contaminated lettuce from its restaurants in affected states "out of an abundance of caution." A spokesperson for Taco Bell Corp. stated that the company believes public health is a shared responsibility and is proud to have acted quickly and proactively. They encouraged other relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same.

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While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests.

Cyclosporiasis is a food- and water-borne illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, leading to prolonged, watery diarrhea. Outbreaks typically occur in the late spring and summer and have historically been linked to produce like bagged salads, cilantro, and basil. Taylor Farms emphasized that none of its branded salads or kits contain iceberg lettuce or are associated with this particular outbreak.

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Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same.