Taylor Farms will indefinitely suspend harvesting and processing iceberg lettuce from central Mexico for the U.S. and Canadian markets during the annual Cyclospora season, part of a four-point food safety plan announced following a massive outbreak linked to the company’s Mexican operations.
Founder, chairman and CEO Bruce Taylor outlined the measures in an October 8 letter, six days after the Food and Drug Administration closed its investigation into the outbreak, which sickened more than 12,000 people across 21 states, resulted in hundreds of hospitalizations and was associated with two deaths.
The Salinas, Calif.-based produce supplier said the seasonal suspension will coincide with the period of elevated Cyclospora risk, generally May through August, which overlaps with the rainy season in central Mexico. The suspension is indefinite, although it does not amount to a permanent prohibition on sourcing iceberg lettuce from the region throughout the year.
Company Outlines Four-Part Safety Plan
Taylor said the company is taking four principal actions following the outbreak:
- Seasonal production suspension: Indefinitely halt harvesting and processing of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico for distribution in the United States and Canada during the CDC-defined Cyclospora season.
- Expanded monitoring and testing: Strengthen existing year-round health monitoring programs and increase irrigation water and crop testing in central Mexico.
- Research and technology investment: Fund and lead research into improved Cyclospora detection and prevention methods, including technologies that could help identify contamination before products enter the supply chain.
- Public-private collaboration: Participate in a task force involving the FDA, scientists, produce industry representatives and public health officials to develop longer-term prevention measures applicable to fresh produce growers.
Taylor Farms also committed to working with the FDA as the agency implements its recently announced Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan.
The company did not disclose the financial cost of the new measures, specific testing frequencies or a timetable for completing its research investments.
FDA Identified Environmental Contamination
The outbreak involved 12,883 reported illnesses in 21 states, including 570 hospitalizations and two deaths.
The FDA’s investigation identified two environmental samples that tested positive for Cyclospora. One came from a tank holding outgoing wastewater at the Taylor Farms de Mexico processing facility. The other was collected from a drainage ditch at an independent iceberg lettuce grower included in the company’s supplier program.
The findings strengthened the agency’s epidemiological and traceback evidence connecting the outbreak to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce. However, investigators were unable to conclusively establish how the contamination occurred.
Taylor Farms said its central Mexico processing facility remains closed while enhanced food safety protocols are implemented. The company also removed the grower associated with the positive drainage ditch sample from its supplier program.
In his letter, Taylor acknowledged the impact on consumers while emphasizing the investigation’s unresolved findings.
The company recalled the implicated iceberg lettuce July 17 and suspended production at the facility. The CDC declared the outbreak over Sept. 11.
Supply Chain Adjustments Ahead of 2027 Season
The seasonal suspension is expected to begin with the 2027 Cyclospora season. Taylor Farms has said the vast majority of its lettuce is grown in the United States and Canada, limiting the expected disruption from suspending central Mexico production during the four-month period.
For grocery retailers and foodservice operators, the decision introduces a longer-term change to seasonal iceberg lettuce sourcing. Taylor Farms has not announced specific replacement production volumes or identified which growing regions will absorb the affected supply.
The company’s measures come as the FDA prepares additional surveillance, environmental monitoring and prevention activities ahead of the 2027 growing season.
The agency’s broader initiative includes cooperation with Mexican authorities and improvements in Cyclospora detection and outbreak response.
Taylor Farms said it will provide additional updates as those efforts advance.