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Taylor Farms pressed US officials on inspection process amid cyclosporiasis spike

Michigan reported a spike in cyclosporiasis cases tied to lettuce from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, and an inquiry has been launched into the company’s role and FDA response.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry & Deals

U.S. produce supplier Taylor Farms complained to White House and Food and Drug Administration officials about the government’s inspection process earlier this month, according to a source familiar with the meeting reported by Insurance Journal.

The complaint came as Michigan reported a spike in cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal disease health officials tie to the company’s lettuce from Mexico. An FDA investigation linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants sourced from Taylor Farms’ privately held operations in central Mexico, though officials said they are still looking for other potential sources.

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said some large retailers and restaurants had shunned produce from other growers in central Mexico out of concern about broader contamination. U.S. Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said he launched an inquiry into Taylor Farms’ role in the outbreak and whether the company tried to influence the FDA’s response.

Taylor Farms said it removed potentially affected products from the marketplace when questions arose and voluntarily suspended production at its central Mexico facility. However, according to a source familiar with the situation, the company did not meet an established 24-hour time frame for deciding whether to take voluntary action after the FDA presented evidence, and the FDA said Taylor Farms agreed to remove affected produce after extensive discussions.

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