The news that the FDA is now labeling the cyclospora finding at Taylor Farms as a “false positive” has me sitting here in total disbelief. As someone who looks at these kinds of regulatory announcements with a healthy dose of skepticism, I simply don’t buy it. You don’t just announce a potential contamination that triggers massive public concern, carries the weight of a major food safety issue, and could force a massive, costly recall without having your ducks in a row first. My gut tells me something much more sinister—or at the very least, much more incompetent—is going on behind the scenes here.… Continue reading
Taylor Farms has issued a voluntary recall for its shredded iceberg lettuce across 27 states due to its suspected link to a cyclosporiasis outbreak. This recall comes after a significant period where the company appears to have been aware of the issue, leading to considerable criticism regarding its response time and overall commitment to consumer safety. The affected product was distributed between June 29th and July 16th, and while the recall is now underway, many consumers are expressing frustration that the lettuce may have already been consumed given its short shelf life. The fact that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, even if not part of the current recall, also tested positive for Cyclospora further solidifies the connection and raises questions about the company’s quality control processes.… Continue reading
Federal health officials have identified lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five U.S. states as a source of a widespread outbreak of the parasite cyclospora. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from these restaurants, as a record number of cases have been reported nationwide. The Food and Drug Administration investigation pinpointed a single supplier of the lettuce, with Taco Bell committing to discontinue its use. Investigations continue to determine if other sources may be involved.
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Following an E. coli outbreak linked to Taylor Farms, a McDonald’s supplier, FDA inspectors uncovered numerous violations at their Colorado facility. The inspection report cited significant food debris, inadequate cleaning procedures, and improper sanitation practices, including infrequent handwashing and insufficient drying of equipment after sanitization. These issues, documented in a Form 483, raised concerns about cross-contamination and potential health risks. While Taylor Farms stated they addressed the issues and the FDA did not take administrative action, the violations prompted McDonald’s to indefinitely cease sourcing onions from the facility.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker