Taylor Farms Prepares Recall of Mexican Iceberg Lettuce Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation

Major agricultural producer Taylor Farms is preparing to recall ingredients linked to an ongoing, multi-state Cyclospora outbreak, according to reports. The Salinas, California-based fresh produce supplier confirmed it is taking precautionary measures, though it maintains that its retail branded salad kits are entirely unaffected by the contamination.

The decision follows a traceback investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) into a spike of parasitic infections. In response to preliminary findings, Taylor Farms announced it is voluntarily withdrawing iceberg lettuce sourced from its Taylor Farms de Mexico facility in central Mexico. The company stated that the FDA’s traceback investigation pointed toward a single, independent farm in the region that accounts for less than 1% of the total iceberg lettuce supply in the United States. Taylor Farms has suspended all sourcing from this specific growing area indefinitely.

While the company has communicated its plans to federal regulators, the exact scope of the pending recall and the specific commercial products or restaurant chains affected remain partially undisclosed.

The development comes shortly after fast-food giant Taco Bell proactively removed shredded lettuce from several of its Midwestern locations. Federal health officials had previously linked a cluster of illnesses to lettuce served at the chain, directing attention toward a single regional supplier.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic, single-celled parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the parasite is typically transmitted when people ingest food or water contaminated with infected human feces. It is not spread directly from person to person. Symptoms of the infection can take a week or more to develop and include severe watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and other painful gastrointestinal symptoms. If left untreated, the illness can persist for weeks or even months, often requiring specific antibiotic treatment.

Historically, agricultural imports have been at the center of seasonal Cyclospora outbreaks in North America. The parasite is endemic to many tropical and subtropical regions. In the United States, outbreaks of cyclosporiasis are frequently documented during the spring and summer months, often traced back to imported fresh herbs, berries, or leafy greens.

The Food and Drug Administration regularly monitors supply chains to prevent such foodborne illnesses from escalating into nationwide crises. For major distributors like Taylor Farms—which operates extensive processing facilities across North America and supplies major supermarket chains and foodservice operators—even localized contamination can trigger complex supply chain adjustments.

In a public statement, Taylor Farms expressed deep concern for those affected by the illnesses and sought to reassure consumers regarding its retail products. The company reiterated that none of its branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce, nor are they associated with the current Cyclospora outbreak.