Taylor Farms, the megaproducer behind many a sad desk lunch, recalled potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce in 27 states on Friday - including lettuce distributed as recently as Thursday - as cases of cyclosporiasis continue their unwelcome ascent across the US.
The US is likely to see at least another two weeks of possible cases, since infections may have happened in recent days. And the expanding outbreak investigation could point to other products in coming days, because why stop at lettuce when you can have a full produce parade of parasites?
Taylor Farms named 27 states where the iceberg lettuce was distributed and included lot codes - but it did not specify the brand names or where the products were served and sold. This will likely complicate the recall, with stores, restaurants, and consumers playing a high-stakes game of 'Is This Lettuce Trying to Kill Me?'
The mega-producer is removing lettuce from its Guanajuato facility in central Mexico, 'because it has the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora,' according to the recall notice. Large retailers like Costco, Target, and Walmart carry Taylor Farms products, and the producer also owns organic farms like Earthbound Farm - so your organic salad isn't safe either.
At least 34 states have reported cases. New York and Colorado are reporting higher-than-usual cyclosporiasis cases, but they were not included on the recall list. So basically, everyone is at risk, but only some of you get a warning.
While Taylor is only recalling shredded iceberg lettuce at this point, it’s possible other products grown or processed in the same facility may carry cyclospora, a parasite that embeds in produce. There are also potential risks from producers in the same area if they shared contaminated water.
Taco Bell was the first restaurant to announce it would stop serving produce in several states. On Friday, the FDA warned against eating shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. But the notice may expand, because nothing says 'lunch' like a side of uncertainty.
'The FDA’s investigation is ongoing,' the agency said. 'Additional implicated brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels may be identified.' So stay tuned for the next edition of 'What’s in Your Salad?'
The FDA notice identified more than 1,600 cases linked to the same product - but many other cases have emerged since late June. Michigan alone has confirmed more than 5,000 cases of cyclosporiasis. Last summer, the US saw a total of 249 confirmed cases across all states. So this year, we're really going for the gold in parasitic infections.
Executives at Taylor Farms met with officials at the White House and FDA in an attempt to distance the company from the investigation, according to the New York Times. Because nothing says 'we care about public health' like a PR offensive.
Taylor Farms did not respond to the Guardian’s questions about why specific products were not identified, how long they knew about potential contamination, and whether other products may also be risky. Silence is golden, but also suspicious.
'There are cyclospora outbreaks every summer,' Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, said on a podcast in his first public comments about the outbreak on Friday. 'Now that we know the probable culprit, I think it’s going to be much easier for people to make healthy choices.'
But Kennedy didn’t clarify that the number of cases is much higher than usual, and he didn’t mention that the investigation could uncover more contaminated products. So maybe hold off on the salad bar.
Officials in Michigan first identified lettuce as a possible source on Monday. 'We are aware of the signal for lettuce,' Dr Donald Prater, acting deputy commissioner for food at the FDA, told journalists on Tuesday. 'We’re continuing our traceback investigation on multiple produce items, including the lettuce.'
This is not the first time serious foodborne illnesses have been linked to Taylor Farms. In 2013, the company was linked to an outbreak of cyclospora at restaurants like Olive Garden and Red Lobster. And in October 2024, an E. coli outbreak clustered around McDonald’s Quarter Pounders was linked to the producer’s slivered onions. So Taylor Farms is building quite the résumé of gastrointestinal distress.