Taylor Farms CEO comments as class-action lawsuit follows nationwide Cyclospora outbreak
Taylor Farms' chief executive addressed the company's role in a multi-state Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, after a class-action suit was filed against the producer and Taco Bell.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has been traced to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The FDA’s traceback investigation identified the supplier as the common source for lettuce served at Taco Bell locations where patients fell ill. Although a later lab test produced a false-positive result, the agency said the overall epidemiological evidence still supports the voluntary recall issued by Taylor Farms.
Bruce Taylor, chief executive of the Salinas-based produce company, said the firm was frustrated by being excluded from the investigation and warned that fear of fresh produce could harm public health. Taylor added that the company promptly removed the implicated lettuce from the market and expanded its recall to all iceberg lettuce from the region, while suspending production at its central-Mexico facility.
Taylor Farms also announced that independent experts are conducting a comprehensive review of its food-safety processes. The company said it continues to cooperate with health authorities, customers and farming partners.
On July 23, two consumers filed a class-action lawsuit against Taylor Farms and Taco Bell, alleging that the lettuce sold to the fast-food chain was contaminated and therefore adulterated under federal law. The suit claims the defendants sold the product as ordinary, wholesome food despite the contamination risk.
The FDA has stated that, as of July 24, no confirmed positive test results for Cyclospora have been found in product samples.