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Taylor Farms Lettuce Recall Slows Cyclospora Outbreak, FDA Issues Guide

8/11/2026

Summary

Taylor Farms Recall

Health officials say lettuce is probably safe now as the cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms slows.
Taylor Farms recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico on July 17, with “best if used by” dates through August 3.
Over 22,000 confirmed cases in 15 states have resulted in 517 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan.
Agencies advise discarding recalled lettuce, washing produce, cooking to 158 °F, and investigating new clusters such as parsley in North Carolina.

Summary

Roche Announces Tests

Roche announced two new tests that detect Cyclospora to speed diagnosis during the outbreak.
The FDA issued its final Guide to Minimize Biological Hazards in Ready-to-Eat Fresh-Cut Produce, noting no antimicrobial kills Cyclospora on lettuce.
Industry experts say the outbreak underscores supply-chain controls because wash water cannot eliminate the parasite, prompting the preventive-controls rule to require annual supplier audits and food-safety plan reanalysis when new hazards emerge.

Summary

Taylor Farms Lawsuits

Taylor Farms faced its first lawsuits after the cyclospora outbreak, with plaintiffs alleging negligence.
The company sent a lobbyist to the White House for a meeting, complaining about exclusion from the investigation.
The FDA called the lab findings linking Taylor Farms to the outbreak a false positive, a reversal the firm publicized.
Taylor Farms halted production of some items and stopped sourcing jalapeños from the Sinaloa grower, using other suppliers.

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Taylor Farms Recall

Health officials say lettuce is probably safe now as the cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms slows.
Taylor Farms recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico on July 17, with “best if used by” dates through August 3.
Over 22,000 confirmed cases in 15 states have resulted in 517 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan.
Agencies advise discarding recalled lettuce, washing produce, cooking to 158 °F, and investigating new clusters such as parsley in North Carolina.

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