Taylor Farms lettuce recall widens to 27 states amid cyclospora outbreak

Taylor Farms lettuce recall expands to 27 states

Taylor Farms lettuce recall has been widened after investigators linked a batch of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak that has already sickened ↓ 1,645 Americans and hospitalized ↓ 141, according to the CDC. The voluntary pull now covers shipments to 27 states, including Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New Jersey. Company officials said they are removing the implicated products and have halted sourcing from the flagged Mexican lot.

Scope of the recall

The notice lists 25 shredded lettuce and salad‑mix items sold under eight brand codes; specific retailer names were not disclosed. Products were distributed as late as Thursday with “best‑by” dates extending to Aug. 3. Sysco, the nation’s largest food distributor, has stopped all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico and instructed customers to destroy existing inventory.

“We are actively removing the implicated products,” the firm stated, adding that the recall is being executed “with the utmost urgency.”

Earlier this week, Reuters reported that lettuce from the same Mexican supplier was found in Taco Bell locations across five Midwestern states, prompting a separate voluntary withdrawal. Taco Bell announced it had removed the affected ingredient from its supply chain nationwide.

The parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, thrives in produce exposed to contaminated water or fecal matter. Symptoms include severe, often explosive diarrhea lasting several weeks. Health officials continue to advise consumers to avoid the recalled lettuce while the investigation proceeds, echoing precautionary messages issued during the recent pandemic era.

Words by Elena Rostova (Socio-Economic Trends Analyst).