Taylor Farms Recalls Iceberg Lettuce From Central Mexico Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Tied to Taco Bell

WASHINGTON — Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market after federal health officials linked its shredded lettuce to a multistate outbreak of illnesses caused by the parasite Cyclospora.

The recall, announced on Friday, follows an investigation into illnesses among people who ate at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Taco Bell said it stopped using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as of July 17.

27 States Received Product

The shredded iceberg lettuce was distributed between June 29 and July 16 to customers in 27 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The recall includes Marketside-brand products sold at Walmart, described as Iceberg Salad in 12-ounce or 24-ounce packages and Shredded Lettuce in 8-ounce or 16-ounce packages, with best-if-used-by dates from July 18 to Aug. 3, the FDA said. Other affected products were distributed to food service customers.

Company Response

The Guanajuato-based company said it had stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, notified customers and was working with the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state authorities.

Consumers who purchased the recalled lettuce were told to discard it and not eat it. Full refunds are available at the place of purchase.

About Cyclospora

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh produce. Most infected people develop diarrhea with frequent bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea and fatigue, and some people experience vomiting, body aches, headache or fever, according to the FDA.

Without treatment, the illness can lead to dehydration and complications lasting from a few days to a month or more. Symptoms may appear to resolve and then return. People with weakened immune systems may experience more severe and prolonged illness. Some infected people have no symptoms.

Seasonal Pattern

Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States tend to peak in late spring and summer and have previously been linked to imported fresh produce, including leafy greens and herbs. Because the parasite requires time outside the body to become infectious, it is not typically spread directly from person to person.

Health officials said the investigation was ongoing and that more information would be released as it became available. People experiencing symptoms after eating the recalled products were advised to contact their health care provider.