Taylor Farms Closes Mexican Plant Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Concerns
WHO:
Forbes - Bruce Taylor, founder and CEO of Taylor Farms, expressed frustration with being excluded from the outbreak investigation process.
CBS News - U.S. health officials are investigating an outbreak of cyclospora.
PBS - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is involved in the investigation of the cyclospora outbreak.
WHAT:
Forbes - The cyclospora outbreak has caused “explosive diarrhea” in more than 7,000 people and nearly 150 hospitalizations.
Forbes - Taylor Farms has promised not to source any of its iceberg lettuce from growers in Central Mexico for the rest of the season.
Forbes - Taylor Farms has invested more than $200 million annually into food safety protocols.
Inc - The cyclospora outbreak has now surpassed 11,500 cases.
Inc - The cyclospora outbreak has grown past 11,500 cases.
CBS News - U.S. health officials are investigating an additional outbreak of cyclospora, but the source remains unidentified.
PBS - The Food and Drug Administration has not yet identified which products are linked to the new illnesses.
NBC News - A rise in cases of cyclosporiasis is causing consumers to avoid lettuce, impacting salad restaurants and major fast-food chains.
CBS News - Taylor Farms has reportedly shut down a processing facility linked to a cyclospora outbreak.
PBS - Taylor Farms announced a recall of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico.
PBS - The cyclospora outbreak has sickened thousands in at least 41 states.
WHERE:
CBS News - The processing facility that was shut down is located in Mexico.
PBS - The recalled iceberg lettuce was grown in central Mexico.
WHY:
PBS - Federal officials stated they remain focused on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a separate, multistate outbreak.
PBS - The investigation is focused on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a separate, multistate outbreak of cyclospora.
HOW:
Forbes - Taylor Farms is investing in growing lettuce inside greenhouses in Indiana and Virginia to reduce outbreak risks.
PBS - Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, often through contaminated water used for irrigation or washing produce.
PBS - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that ingestion of the parasite causes intestinal illness marked by "frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements."
PBS - Food safety tips include washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food, and cooking produce to a temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 Celsius) to kill the parasite.
(UPDATED July 25, 2026 01:25 UTC)
The cyclospora outbreak has affected over 7,000 people, leading to nearly 150 hospitalizations due to severe gastrointestinal issues. In response, Bruce Taylor, the founder and CEO of Taylor Farms, has expressed frustration about being excluded from the investigation and has committed to not sourcing iceberg lettuce from growers in Central Mexico for the remainder of the season. To enhance food safety, Taylor Farms is investing over $200 million annually and is also focusing on growing lettuce inside greenhouses in Indiana and Virginia to minimize future outbreak risks.
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(UPDATED July 24, 2026 17:26 UTC)
The cyclospora outbreak has now surpassed eleven thousand five hundred cases, raising significant health concerns. Federal officials have indicated that they are concentrating their investigation on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a separate multistate outbreak. As the situation develops, health authorities continue to monitor the impact of these outbreaks closely.
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(UPDATED July 24, 2026 16:25 UTC)
The cyclospora outbreak has now surpassed 11,500 reported cases. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation as it continues to evolve. As the outbreak progresses, more updates are expected in the coming days.
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(UPDATED July 24, 2026 14:38 UTC)
U.S. health officials are currently investigating a new outbreak of cyclospora, although the source of the infections has not yet been identified. The Food and Drug Administration is still working to determine which products may be linked to these new illnesses. As a result, there has been a noticeable rise in cases of cyclosporiasis, leading consumers to steer clear of lettuce and affecting both salad restaurants and major fast-food chains.
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(UPDATED July 24, 2026 05:55 UTC)
Health officials in the U.S. are currently investigating an outbreak of cyclospora, with the Food and Drug Administration also involved in the inquiry. Taylor Farms has shut down a processing facility in Mexico linked to the outbreak and has announced a recall of iceberg lettuce grown in the region, as the illness has affected thousands across at least 41 states. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food through contact with human feces, and experts recommend washing hands after using the bathroom and cooking produce to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent infection.