Key facts
- Taylor Farms, a supplier of packaged salads and fresh produce, has been linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
- The outbreak has sickened more than 1,600 people across five states.
- Taylor Farms is voluntarily removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
- The company stated that its branded salad kits do not contain iceberg lettuce and were not associated with the outbreak.
Taylor Farms, a California-based fresh produce company founded in 1995, has been linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened over 1,600 people across five states. The company supplies packaged salads, fresh-cut vegetables, and meal kits to grocery stores, restaurants, and foodservice customers. Federal officials have connected shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants to the outbreak.
In response, Taylor Farms issued a statement expressing concern for those affected and announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. The company emphasized that its own branded salads and salad kits are not associated with the outbreak and do not contain iceberg lettuce.
Founded by Bruce Taylor, whose family has a history in the produce industry, Taylor Farms has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with over 24,000 employees and 22 production locations across North America. Bruce Taylor continues to serve as the company's chairman and CEO. The company's products have previously been connected to other foodborne illness investigations.