Fresh produce supplier Taylor Farms is preparing a recall tied to ingredients linked to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, according to a Bloomberg News report, as the company says its branded salad products are not associated with the illnesses.
Bloomberg, citing a document viewed by the outlet, reported Friday that the California-based produce company told federal regulators it is preparing a recall connected to the Food and Drug Administration’s investigation into the parasite outbreak. The scope of any potential recall was not immediately clear, and it remains unclear which products could be affected.
Taylor Farms responded Friday in a statement posted to Instagram, saying none of its branded salad kits are associated with the outbreak and that it is voluntarily removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico through its Taylor Farms de Mexico operation after receiving information from the FDA.
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“As a family owned and operated company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the many Americans whose trust in the safety of their fresh produce has been shaken,” the company said.
The company added: “No Taylor Farms branded salads or kits are associated with this outbreak. No Taylor Farms branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce.”
Taylor Farms said the FDA’s trace back investigation identified what it described as “a specific independent farm” representing less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply as the potential source of the outbreak. The company said it has removed all iceberg lettuce from that growing region indefinitely.
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The development comes days after Taco Bell removed some lettuce from restaurants in parts of the Midwest after federal health officials linked illnesses to shredded lettuce served at the fast-food chain and pointed investigators to a single supplier.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, fatigue and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
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The FDA has not publicly identified a definitive source of the outbreak, and its investigation remains ongoing.
Taylor Farms did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for additional comment. The FDA also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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