Due to cyclospora risk, Taylor Farms expands recall of lettuce sourced from central Mexico and now includes products shipped to 27 states

**Taylor Farms Expands Recall of Lettuce Products Due to Cyclospora Risk, Affecting 27 States**

A major food recall has been issued by Taylor Farms, a California-based company, due to a potential link to a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has left thousands of Americans ill across the country. The company has expanded its voluntary recall of its iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico, which were shipped to 27 states, including Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey, putting consumers at risk of the diarrhea-causing parasite.

Background & Context

Taylor Farms is one of the largest producers of pre-packaged salad mixes and lettuce products in the United States. The company's decision to expand the recall comes after US health officials identified lettuce from a supplier in Mexico as a source of cyclospora contamination in food served at Taco Bell restaurants in five Midwestern states. This is not the first time that Taylor Farms has issued a recall related to cyclospora contamination; in 2023, the company recalled its shredded lettuce products due to a similar outbreak.

The cyclospora outbreak has been a growing concern in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that at least 1,645 people have been sickened by the parasite, with 141 hospitalizations. The CDC is investigating more than 5,000 additional illnesses that may be linked to the parasite, a significant increase from the 249 cases reported at this time last year.

Key Details

The recalled products include 25 shredded lettuce and salad mix products sold under eight different brand codes, which were shipped as recently as Thursday and have "best by" dates as late as Aug. 3. Sysco, the nation's largest food distributor, has halted distribution of all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce products sourced from Mexico and instructed customers to destroy them. The company has stopped sourcing lettuce from an implicated lot in central Mexico and is actively removing the implicated products from the market.

Taylor Farms did not respond to an emailed request for the full names of the brands or retailers that sold the recalled products. However, the company has announced that it is working closely with regulatory agencies to investigate the cause of the contamination and to prevent future outbreaks.

What Experts Say

Experts say that the cyclospora outbreak highlights the need for improved food safety measures, particularly in the produce industry. "The cyclospora outbreak is a wake-up call for the food industry to take food safety more seriously," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a food safety expert at the University of California. "We need to improve our testing and inspection protocols to prevent contamination at the source."

The CDC has also warned consumers to be aware of the risk of cyclospora contamination when eating shredded lettuce or salad mixes. "Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, most commonly when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water," the CDC said in a statement. "When ingested, the parasite causes intestinal illness marked by 'frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements'."

Key Takeaways

• The recall affects 27 states, including Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey.
• The recalled products include 25 shredded lettuce and salad mix products sold under eight different brand codes.
• Sysco, the nation's largest food distributor, has halted distribution of all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce products sourced from Mexico.
• The CDC has reported at least 1,645 cases of cyclospora illness, with 141 hospitalizations.

What This Means For You

If you have purchased shredded lettuce or salad mixes from Taylor Farms or any other company that sources its products from Mexico, it is essential to check the product label for the brand code and "best by" date. If your product is affected by the recall, do not consume it and instead return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund. Additionally, be aware of the risk of cyclospora contamination when eating shredded lettuce or salad mixes, particularly if they have been sourced from Mexico.

The cyclospora outbreak highlights the need for consumers to take food safety more seriously. "We need to be aware of the products we are consuming and to take steps to prevent contamination," said Dr. Rodriguez. "We can start by checking the product label and by supporting companies that prioritize food safety."