Taylor Farms issues statement on cyclospora outbreak as ‘explosive diarrhea’ cases climb
- Michigan health officials have reported 5,002 cases of cyclosporiasis, including a daily increase of 690, as part of a widespread foodborne illness outbreak that could become one of the United States’ largest in recent years.
- The outbreak has been traced to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, specifically from Taylor Farms’ facility in Guanajuato, which was distributed to various clients including Taco Bell restaurants in affected states.
- In response, Taylor Farms announced the removal of all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, and Taco Bell ceased using lettuce from the implicated supplier following FDA traceback investigations that pinpointed the Mexican-sourced product.
- A source told Reuters that Taylor Farms called clients Thursday, including Taco Bell owner Yum Brands and food distributor Sysco, which widely distributes lettuce to hospitals, ballparks and fast-food chains.
- The outbreak marks another instance where Taylor Farms’ Mexican operations have been linked to a major foodborne illness, with the FDA and CDC actively investigating the current situation and collecting product samples for testing and analysis.
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