- đź“Ś Taylor Farms issued misleading statements and missed a recall deadline during the worst cyclosporiasis outbreak in decades.
- đź“Ś The FDA denied apologizing to Taylor Farms and defended its lab results, despite a false positive.
- đź“Ś Over 100 hospitalizations and thousands of cases across 41 states have been linked to the outbreak.
- đź“Ś A new unrelated cyclospora outbreak is under investigation, with 72 cases from an unknown source.
Monterey County-based Taylor Farms, a major produce supplier, is under scrutiny for its slow and confusing response to a massive cyclospora outbreak. The company challenged FDA evidence, delayed a recall, and issued statements that experts call misleading, ultimately keeping the public in the dark for an additional 60 hours.
Company Missteps and FDA Rebuttals
Taylor Farms claimed the FDA apologized for a false positive lab test linking its lettuce to the outbreak. The FDA denied this, stating the incorrect result would have expanded an existing recall but did not clear the company. The agency called Taylor Farms' communications confusing and its recall notice 'obtuse.'
Taylor Farms has reportedly shut down its Mexican processing facility where the contaminated lettuce was produced, according to CBS News. The shutdown goes beyond the earlier voluntary suspension of iceberg lettuce sourcing and production from central Mexico.
White House Involvement and Missed Deadline
When the FDA and CDC linked the outbreak to Taylor Farms lettuce served at Taco Bell in five Midwestern states, the company missed a regulatory deadline to voluntarily recall products. Taylor Farms then directly contacted the White House, leading to a 60-hour delay in public notification. The company has political ties, having donated $1 million to a PAC supporting President Trump.
Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said on CBS's Face the Nation that it was 'not standard operating procedure' for Taylor Farms to ask the White House to intervene. He noted that during his tenure, the White House was only informed of outbreak investigations but never asked to delay a recall. According to the Wall Street Journal, Taylor Farms representatives contacted the White House requesting more time before the government publicly linked the company to the outbreak, arguing that federal investigators lacked positive laboratory evidence connecting its products to the outbreak.
Local California Context
Founded in 1995 in Salinas Valley, Monterey County, Taylor Farms employs 20,000 people and operates facilities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The company supplies major supermarkets and restaurants, including Taco Bell. The outbreak has tarnished its reputation as a leading global producer of salads.
Background
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes severe diarrhea and is notoriously difficult to trace. Cases typically rise in summer, with fewer than 100 annual cases nationwide. This year, over 2,000 cases have been reported across 41 states, with at least 300 hospitalizations, making it the largest outbreak in decades. The outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce is considered regional, centered in the Midwest, and is now the largest cyclospora outbreak on record in the U.S., with nearly 7,000 confirmed or under investigation in 34 states since May 1, according to CDC data.
Conclusion
The Taylor Farms case highlights critical failures in food safety communication and corporate accountability. Consumers are advised to stay informed about recalls and report symptoms to health authorities. The FDA continues to investigate a new cyclospora outbreak with 72 cases from an unknown source.
Sources and Materials
Taylor Farms' Official Statements and Recall Details
On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, distributed from June 29 to July 16 in 26 states: AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI. The company stated that no Taylor Farms branded products were involved, and it stopped sourcing iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for the remainder of the growing season. In a July 19 statement, Taylor Farms claimed the FDA apologized for a false positive test, but the FDA denied this. The company emphasized that at that moment, the FDA had not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora. The recall included a wide range of food service and retail products, with specific lot codes and use-by dates provided. The FDA noted that Taylor Fresh Foods has not publicly provided distribution information or a list of customers who received the voluntarily removed product.
CDC Update on Outbreak
As of July 18, 2026, the CDC reported more than 1,644 cases and 94 hospitalizations linked to this outbreak across five states. The recall includes Marketside-brand product available at Walmart. Consumers are advised not to eat any recalled lettuce and to throw it away or return it to the store. The CDC is also investigating other outbreaks and illnesses of cyclosporiasis nationally that are unrelated to this outbreak.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed
Taylor Farms and Taco Bell have been hit with a proposed class action lawsuit amid the nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak. The 14-page lawsuit alleges that the defendants failed to disclose that the iceberg lettuce, reportedly sourced from a single supplier in Mexico, was contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite, rendering it adulterated, unfit for human consumption, and worthless. As of July 21, 2026, the lawsuit relays, the CDC has confirmed more than 1,600 cases of cyclosporiasis and over 140 hospitalizations across dozens of states and is investigating thousands of suspected cases. The complaint says that the affected iceberg lettuce was distributed to Taco Bell locations throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The case claims that Taylor Farms deceptively sold and distributed contaminated iceberg lettuce while representing that its foods are “wholesome” and suitable for consumption, while Taco Bell served the affected lettuce to consumers as an ordinary, safe ingredient in its menu items. “Every class member suffered the same economic injury the moment the transaction closed: each paid full price for food that was worth less than represented, and in law was worthless because it could not be sold for human consumption,” the class action lawsuit summarizes. The lawsuit also notes that Taylor Farms has a history of contamination: in 2013, a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak was linked to Taylor Farms salad mix, and in 2024, the company was named as the likely source for an E. coli outbreak linked to onions that caused over 100 illnesses, dozens of hospitalizations, and one death. The complaint asserts that prior outbreaks should have put Taylor Farms on notice, but the company failed to take necessary measures to mitigate contamination risks.
New Details from CBS News Report
Food safety experts say that while recalls are inevitable for a produce supplier the size of Taylor Farms, the current outbreak is unusual because of its scale and the number of people sickened. More than 5,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported, far exceeding the typical annual level of roughly 200 to 1,000 cases. Because cyclospora infections can cause severe diarrhea lasting days or even weeks, some consumers are avoiding leafy greens and other fresh produce commonly associated with the parasite while investigators search for the source.
"Nothing about this outbreak is typical," Jennifer McEntire, founder of food safety consulting firm Food Safety Strategy, told CBS News. "When you see something of this magnitude, it's surprising, even to those of us who are accustomed to working with outbreaks. This is not normal, and it's not acceptable." Taylor Farms did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment.
Taylor Farms, founded by CEO Bruce Taylor in 1995 in Salinas Valley, California, manages a network of dozens of production facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Western Europe. It grows one-quarter of its own produce and partners with family-owned farms to supply the rest, the company said in its 2025 impact report. The company, which employs 25,000 people, booked $6 billion in revenue in 2022, according to the most recent data available, ranking it among the largest produce suppliers in the U.S. Its sheer size positions it as a key supplier of lettuce and other produce to the nation's biggest retailers, including Walmart, Costco, Target and Whole Foods, and restaurant chains Taco Bell and McDonald's. The company also owns the organic brand Earthbound Farms, and produces 40% of the salad kits sold in the U.S.
Consumers may mistake Taylor Farms for a small single-farm operation based on its name alone, McEntire said. "But it's not. It's an enormous company with multiple processing operations and growing locations in different regions," she said.
On July 17, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled potentially affected iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, after federal investigators established a link between lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants and Taylor Farms de Mexico. The company's other products, including its salad kits, have not been recalled. The company said that the FDA had identified a single independent farm, accounting for less than 1% of the U.S.'s iceberg lettuce supply, as the potential source of the outbreak. On Sunday, the FDA backtracked, saying that a test that showed contaminated iceberg lettuce was a false positive. In response, Taylor Farms issued a statement saying the agency "apologized to us."
On Monday, however, the FDA said that the "false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for [the] FDA's ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms." The agency added that its "traceback investigation and outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico."
The false positive "doesn't call into question the conclusion of the outbreak investigation," McEntire said. Had the positive test been confirmed, "it could've resulted in a substantially expanded recall."
CBS News medical correspondent Dr. CĂ©line Gounder said that while it's rare for the FDA to publicly walk back test results, such false positives are "ordinary as a laboratory event." Testing for the cyclospora parasite is also more complicated than for other pathogens, such as E. coli or Salmonella, McEntire said.
"The unusual thing isn't the false positive. It's that an unconfirmed single-sample result went public on a Saturday and was withdrawn on a Sunday," Dr. Gounder said. "The question I'd ask FDA is not 'how did the lab get it wrong' but 'what is your policy for announcing a presumptive positive before confirmatory testing closes, and did you follow it?'"
The FDA did not immediately respond to CBS News' inquiry about the state of the investigation, or immediately indicate what its protocol is for announcing test results.
Taylor Farms has been connected to several previous food safety investigations and recalls. In 2024, Taylor Farms supplied slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounders that were contaminated with E. coli, leading to one death and more than 100 illnesses, according to the FDA. The FDA found dozens of violations at a Taylor Farms facility that supplied the onions, including dirty equipment. In 2020, Taylor Farms recalled several products containing onions from a third-party supplier due to concerns that they could be contaminated with Salmonella. In 2013, Taylor Farms was linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Taylor Fresh Foods Official Statements
On July 20, 2026, Taylor Fresh Foods issued a statement summarizing the facts: On July 17, the company voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico identified as the potential source of the Cyclospora outbreak. The recall has been completed with products removed from the marketplace. No Taylor Farms branded products are involved. The company is no longer sourcing iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico for the remainder of the growing season. Experts are on site in central Mexico investigating all potential sources of contamination. The company remains committed to working closely with health officials.
In a July 19 statement, Taylor Fresh Foods stated that the FDA apologized to the company. The FDA had informed Taylor Fresh Foods that one of its iceberg lettuce products from central Mexico tested positive for cyclospora, but later informed the company that this was a false positive. The company emphasized that at that moment, the FDA had not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora. The voluntary recall was completed out of an abundance of caution based on initial information. Recalled product was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico. All other Taylor Farms products, including all Taylor Farms brand products available for purchase, are not involved in the recall.
The July 17 recall notice provided detailed product information: Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. Consumers who purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately and not consume it. Full refunds are available at the location of purchase. Consumers with questions may contact customer care at 855-455-0098 Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm PST. The shredded iceberg product was distributed June 29 through July 16 in 26 states. A complete list of affected products, lot codes, and use-by dates was provided, including brands such as CV, JB, MARK, MKTSD (Marketside), PK, SUB, SY, and TF, covering food service and retail segments.
Updated Recall Information from CNN
Taylor Farms has voluntarily recalled selected iceberg lettuce products distributed across 27 U.S. states as federal health officials continue investigating a multistate Cyclospora outbreak. The recalled products were sourced from central Mexico and supplied to both retail stores and food-service businesses. Consumers who have purchased the affected lettuce are advised not to eat it and to dispose of it immediately. According to CNN, the recall is part of an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health officials say Cyclospora infection can cause prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. The CDC has linked more than 1,600 illnesses and over 100 hospitalizations to the outbreak, with shredded iceberg lettuce identified as a suspected source served at certain restaurants. Investigators are continuing to determine the exact origin of the contamination. Taylor Farms said the recall was initiated voluntarily while the investigation continues. The company has stopped using the potentially affected lettuce and is cooperating with federal authorities. The FDA also recommends thoroughly cleaning refrigerators, cutting boards, containers and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Cyclospora is a foodborne parasite commonly spread through contaminated food or water, with symptoms typically appearing about one week after exposure. Health officials advise anyone who develops persistent diarrhea after eating shredded iceberg lettuce to seek medical attention promptly. The FDA says additional products could be identified as the investigation progresses.
CDC Official Outbreak Notice
On July 18, 2026, the CDC issued a food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to shredded iceberg lettuce in 5 states. The investigation status is open, and a recall has been issued. The CDC reported more than 1,644 cases, 94 hospitalizations, and zero deaths. The recalled food includes all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico by Taylor Farms de Mexico, with Marketside-brand product available at Walmart. The CDC advises consumers not to eat any recalled lettuce, throw it away or return it to the store, and wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled lettuce with hot soapy water or a dishwasher. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately. The CDC also recommends contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms of Cyclospora develop, noting that routine stool tests do not always screen for this parasite. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, fatigue, and loss of appetite, usually beginning about one week after infection (range 2 days to 2 weeks or more). Without treatment, symptoms can last from a few days to a month or longer. The CDC advises staying well-hydrated and providing information to help identify contaminated foods. To reduce risk, wash hands and fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Cooking can kill the parasite; produce should be cooked to at least 158°F (70°C). The CDC also encourages staying up to date on food recalls and outbreaks.
CDC Update: Outbreak Expands to 9 States
As of July 24, 2026, the CDC reported that the outbreak has expanded to 9 states, with at least 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations. The nine states involved are Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. No deaths have been reported. Illnesses started on dates ranging from June 22, 2026, to July 20, 2026. The recall remains in effect for all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The CDC continues to advise consumers not to eat any recalled lettuce and to throw it away or return it to the store. The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE 1: In a new statement Friday, Taylor Farms reiterated its confidence in its food safety systems, noting that it invests more than $200 million annually into independently audited and verified food safety protocols. The company also said it commissioned independent experts to conduct a top-to-bottom review of its central Mexico facility and voluntarily suspended all iceberg lettuce sourcing and production from central Mexico. “We are confident in our food and food safety systems and will continue to be transparent as more information becomes available,” a spokesperson said. The FDA has not confirmed any positive product test results for Cyclospora as of July 19, 2026, according to Taylor Farms.
In a subsequent statement on July 24, a Taylor Farms spokesperson elaborated: 'We are passionate about helping people live healthier lives through fresh produce, and the safety of our food is paramount. We maintain best-in-class Cyclospora prevention protocols and invest more than $200 million annually into our independently audited and verified food safety protocols.' The spokesperson emphasized that the company issued an urgent recall 'out of an abundance of caution' and has commissioned independent experts to conduct a top-to-bottom review of food safety processes and protocols in its central Mexico facility. 'We continue to work with health authorities, customers, and independent farming partners to address this issue,' the statement added. The company noted that it has taken added precautions despite no positive test results involving its product so far.
In a new statement on Friday, Taylor Farms elaborated: 'When questions were raised about the source of the recent Cyclospora outbreak, we immediately removed all potentially implicated product from the marketplace, and out of an abundance of caution we issued an even broader recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from the region.' The company also reiterated its confidence in its food safety systems.
In the same statement, Taylor Farms emphasized: “We are passionate about helping people live healthier lives through fresh produce, and the safety of our food is paramount. We maintain best-in-class Cyclospora prevention protocols.”
The outbreak has now expanded to 9 states, with at least 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations as of July 24, 2026, according to the CDC. In Illinois, health officials reported 513 confirmed and probable cases as of July 23, while Michigan’s health department reported cases topping 8,000 as of Friday. All cases reported exposure to Taco Bell, and the CDC noted that the increase is partly due to the addition of four new states to the investigation. The CDC also noted that it can take as long as six weeks for state and federal officials to determine if a sick person is part of this outbreak. Taco Bell has indicated they are no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, the FDA reported.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra stated, “IDPH has been closely monitoring the Cyclospora multi-state outbreak that has been happening across the United States and in Illinois. July case reports are rising at a level we have not seen since 2018.”
As of July 24, the outbreak has expanded to 9 states with at least 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations. In Illinois, health officials reported 513 confirmed and probable cases, and Michigan reported over 8,000 cases. All reported cases had exposure to Taco Bell. The CDC expects case numbers to continue rising despite the recall due to the lag in confirming cases. Taco Bell has said it is no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.
Retailer and Distributor Responses
Several major retailers and distributors have taken action in response to the recall. Taco Bell removed the lettuce from its restaurants and its nationwide supply chain. On Saturday, Jack in the Box said that recalled lettuce had been distributed to stores in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana; the company immediately removed the affected items and replaced them with lettuce from another domestic supply source, and reported no associated illnesses. Restaurant food distributor Sysco proactively removed all Taylor Farms processed iceberg lettuce from Mexico from distribution and instructed customers to destroy them. Walmart stated there was no indication its products were affected but removed four Marketside-branded bagged iceberg lettuce salad products from select locations as a precaution.
The recalled lettuce was sold at select Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
US Foods said a “limited number” of products under its Cross Valley Farms brand were impacted and began notifying customers on Friday. The FDA stated that Taylor Fresh Foods has not publicly provided a list of customers who received the voluntarily removed product.
National Case Count and Record Status
Nationally, nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed or are under investigation in 34 states since May 1, according to CDC data. The Michigan state health department has reported more than 5,000 cases during the outbreak investigation, stating it cannot say with certainty that every illness is linked to the same source but that the concentrated increase strongly suggests the vast majority are associated with the same outbreak. This would make it the largest cyclospora outbreak on record in the U.S.
The illnesses included in this outbreak are a subset of the Cyclospora infections identified nationwide. The recalled product also impacted markets outside the United States; Taylor Farms de Mexico reported that recalled product was sold to consumers in Mexico.
Health experts have stressed proper food hygiene practices as the outbreak continues to expand, but urged anyone in the impacted states not to eat the recalled lettuce. 'Do not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico,' federal alerts warn, noting that the FDA's investigation is ongoing.