Taylor Farms has confirmed a voluntary removal of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico following a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to the produce, according to regulatory filings and company statements. The Salinas, California-based company, which supplies supermarkets and fast-food restaurants across America, stated that the action was taken after federal food safety investigators traced illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce used at restaurant locations.
The Cyclosporiasis Outbreak and Federal Investigations
An unprecedented wave of cyclosporiasis infections has resulted in at least 5,880 reported cases across 41 states since May, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data cited by the Daily Mail. The illness is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which produces severe gastrointestinal symptoms including explosive diarrhea that can persist for up to a month without medical treatment. The outbreak has been linked to two deaths nationally, according to reporting on FDA and CDC notices.
Federal traceback data identified shredded iceberg lettuce from a single supplier used at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, according to a CDC update. While the Food and Drug Administration traced a major cluster of cases in Michigan to recalled iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms, experts note that not all national cases share the same source, and the CDC continues investigating unrelated illnesses.
Taylor Farms Mexico Lettuce Recall and Industry Impact
Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico indefinitely, according to a company statement. The producer noted that the independent farm identified by the FDA represents less than 1 percent of the total U.S. iceberg lettuce supply. Company officials emphasized that no Taylor Farms branded salads, kits, or products containing iceberg lettuce are associated with the outbreak.
Did you know? Taylor Farms operates 30 processing facilities with $7 billion in revenues and more than 25,000 employees, partnering with nearly every major U.S. supermarket group and quick-service restaurant chain, according to a UC Berkeley Haas Magazine profile.
Fast-food chains have moved quickly to alter their supply chains. Taco Bell voluntarily removed potentially impacted lettuce from select state menus and began replacing the ingredient nationwide within 24 hours, according to a company statement. Chipotle Mexican Grill, which also sources produce from Taylor Farms, confirmed on July 20 that it was monitoring the investigation closely while stating it did not believe its supplied ingredients were associated, according to Laurie Schalow, chief corporate affairs and food safety officer at Chipotle.
Supply Chain Footprint Across Supermarkets and Restaurants
Consumers attempting to track the provenance of produce in retail stores and food service outlets face significant challenges due to the vast scale of Taylor Farms’ distribution network. Supermarket chains that carry Taylor Farms salad kits and related products include Walmart, Target, Safeway, Whole Foods, Meijer, Vons, Food4Less, H-E-B, Sprouts, Fry’s, Albertsons, and Kroger, according to the company’s product locator tool.
Restaurant supply chains are less transparent to diners. While current recalls specifically involve Taco Bell locations, historical reports from Capital & Main and The Huffington Post document that Taylor Farms produce has been served by McDonald’s, Subway, KFC, Long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut, and Darden Restaurants brands like Olive Garden. In 2024, the company also faced a multi-state E. coli outbreak recall involving yellow onions processed at its Colorado Springs facility that were linked to McDonald’s, resulting in one death and 104 illnesses across 14 states.
Company History and Previous Safety Initiatives
Founded in 1995 by third-generation Salinas Valley lettuce grower Bruce Taylor and his partners, Taylor Farms transformed the commercial produce industry by introducing fixed-price contracts that guaranteed grower profits while providing restaurants like McDonald’s with a consistent shredded lettuce supply at stable prices, according to trade reports in Western Farm Press.
The company has established prominent food safety programs over its history. Around 2007, Taylor partnered with the Produce Marketing Association to help establish the Center for Produce Safety. In 2009, the firm introduced SmartWash Solutions, a wash-water monitoring system designed to sanitize produce and prevent microbial cross-contamination, according to university business school profiles. Addressing the volume of company recalls, Bruce Taylor told the Times that the sheer scale of the operation means its recalls relative to overall size remain lower than industry averages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cyclosporiasis and what causes it?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. It spreads when a person consumes food or water contaminated with fecal matter containing the parasite, resulting in symptoms such as watery diarrhea, cramping, and nausea.
Which restaurants and stores are affected by the Taylor Farms lettuce recall?
Federal investigations have specifically linked shredded iceberg lettuce used at select Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia to the outbreak. Major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Kroger stock Taylor Farms products, though company officials state that no Taylor Farms branded salad kits or packages are associated with the current outbreak.
Has Taylor Farms experienced previous recalls?
Yes. In 2024, Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions processed at its Colorado Springs facility following a multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s that sickened 104 people and caused one death. The firm has also issued previous voluntary recalls for mislabeled products.
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