Taylor Farms, headquartered in Salinas, California, is responding to a serious cyclosporiasis outbreak. On Friday, the company announced a voluntary recall of products linked to the outbreak, which has affected over 1,600 people. This action follows information provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier in the week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has traced the outbreak to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms. The lettuce in question ended up in certain Taco Bell locations, as reported by two federal officials who wish to remain anonymous. Taylor Farms expressed commitment to taking proactive measures to address the issue.
Founded in 1995 by Bruce Taylor in California’s Salinas Valley, Taylor Farms has grown into a major player in the vegetable industry. The company produces over $7 billion in produce annually, servicing grocery stores and restaurants across the nation. It operates in more than 12 states and extends its reach to Mexico and Canada. Taylor Farms manages 30 processing facilities and employs 25,000 workers.
Despite its prominence, Taylor Farms does not disclose the specific retailers and restaurant chains that use its products. Last year, it supplied 40 percent of all salad kits in American groceries and delivered 265 million servings of fresh vegetables weekly.