Key facts
- Taylor Farms recalled 236,192 cases of lettuce due to potential Cyclospora contamination.
- Only 5,900 cases (2.5%) of the recalled lettuce were sold to Yum Brands, parent company of Taco Bell.
- Walmart's Marketside brand received 109,476 cases (46%), and Taylor Farms' own brand received 68,897 cases (29%).
- Other recipients included Cross Valley Farms (8%), Sysco (4.9%), Markon (3.15%), and Peak Fresh Produce (0.3%).
- Subway received 8,075 cases (3.4%) and Jack in the Box received 5,130 cases (2.2%) of the recalled lettuce.
- Taylor Farms also recalled jalapeños due to a salmonella outbreak.
- Both recalled products were imported from Mexico.
Two recent foodborne illness outbreaks linked to Taylor Farms products have highlighted challenges in ensuring the safety of produce imported from Mexico. The company, a major supplier, recently recalled jalapeños due to a salmonella outbreak, following a recall of iceberg lettuce linked to a Cyclospora outbreak. Both products were sourced from Mexico.
A new report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveals that of the 236,192 cases of lettuce recalled by Taylor Farms for potential Cyclospora contamination, only 5,900 cases, or just under 2.5%, were sold to Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell. This contradicts the initial public focus on Taco Bell as the primary source of the outbreak, which has sickened over 23,000 people across 47 states and caused two deaths.
The majority of the contaminated lettuce was distributed elsewhere. Walmart, under its Marketside brand, received the largest share with 109,476 cases (over 46%). Taylor Farms' own brand received 68,897 cases (over 29%). Other recipients included Cross Valley Farms (8%), Sysco (4.9%), Markon (3.15%), and Peak Fresh Produce (0.3%). Restaurant chains Subway and Jack in the Box also received portions of the recalled lettuce.
The FDA report provided more detailed distribution information than Taylor Farms' initial recall notice, which used abbreviations and lacked quantities. It remains unclear why Taylor Farms did not publicly disclose the significant distribution to Walmart. The company stated it followed FDA-approved recall communications protocols and acted quickly in the best interest of public health. The FDA and CDC had previously issued specific warnings about Taco Bell lettuce based on epidemiological investigations, while noting Walmart's brand was part of the recall without specifying the volume.