Taylor Farms Expands Lettuce Recall to 27 States Following Cyclospora Outbreak
Health Officials Identify Mexican Supplier as Source of Contamination
Taylor Farms expands lettuce recall to 27 states as federal health officials continue investigating a growing cyclospora outbreak that has sickened more than 1,600 Americans this year. The California-based produce company announced Friday that it is voluntarily withdrawing multiple iceberg lettuce products from store shelves nationwide. This significant expansion brings the total number of affected regions to twenty-seven states, marking one of the largest food safety actions in recent months. The decision follows a critical connection made by federal health authorities, who identified the contaminated greens as originating from a single supplier located in central Mexico.
Products Affected and Consumer Guidance
In a formal announcement, the company confirmed that it is pulling twenty-five different shredded lettuce and salad mix products from retail locations. These items were all sourced from the same contaminated lot in central Mexico. To prevent further distribution, Taylor Farms has halted all incoming shipments from this specific source while simultaneously working to clear the remaining inventory from the market. The company has also taken comprehensive steps to inform its retail partners and distributors about the situation.
We are actively removing the implicated products. The company has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we are continuing to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.
The geographic reach of this recall is extensive, covering states from the Northeast down to the South and across the Midwest. The affected regions include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. This wide distribution highlights the extensive supply chain network that the supplier utilizes to deliver fresh produce to consumers nationwide.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal illness, often described as explosive diarrhea, along with fatigue, loss of appetite, and stomach cramps. Symptoms typically appear one week after exposure and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. While most healthy individuals recover without treatment, the illness can be particularly serious for elderly patients and those with weakened immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking cases across multiple states since the outbreak began earlier this year.
Adding to the complexity of the outbreak, the CDC identified the Mexican supplier as the likely source of exposure earlier this week. Notably, the lettuce from this supplier was served at Taco Bell restaurants in several states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. This connection has raised concerns among diners who visited these locations during the period when the contaminated product was in circulation. Health officials continue to investigate whether additional restaurants or food service establishments may have used the affected lettuce.
Taylor Farms has issued clear guidance for consumers who may have purchased the affected items. Customers are advised not to eat the recalled iceberg lettuce and to throw it away immediately. If anyone experiences any health issues after consuming the product, they should contact their healthcare provider. The company encourages shoppers to check their refrigerators and pantries for any of the twenty-five recalled products and to dispose of them promptly to prevent further illness.
