Less than 2.5% of Taylor Farms' recalled lettuce went to Taco Bells
FDA report finally reveals where Taylor Farms sent its lettuce—and it raises questions.
An extensive investigation by the Food and Drug Administration has finally shed light on the distribution of tainted lettuce linked to a severe outbreak of the Cyclospora parasite. The contaminated lettuce, sourced from Mexico, was distributed by Taylor Farms, a large-scale produce supplier based in California. Despite drawing scrutiny over its ties to the Trump administration and reluctance to disclose information during the outbreak, Taylor Farms has recalled 236,192 cases of lettuce due to potential Cyclospora contamination.
However, according to the FDA's Enforcement Report, less than 2.5 percent of the recalled lettuce was sold to Taco Bell locations, which are owned by Yum, the parent company. Only 5,900 cases of the lettuce—nearly 2.5 percent—were distributed to Taco Bell. The remaining 97.5 percent of the tainted lettuce was sold to other locations, raising questions about the extent of the outbreak's impact on the fast-food chain.
The outbreak has sickened over 23,000 people across 47 states, with two fatalities and over 500 hospitalizations. Taylor Farms has faced criticism for its initial delay in issuing a recall and its refusal to provide clear reporting on the distribution of the contaminated lettuce. Despite these concerns, the FDA's report finally offers some clarity on the distribution of the potentially dangerous lettuce, revealing that the majority of the tainted product was sold to locations beyond Taco Bell.
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