Taylor Farms has come under increased scrutiny after the cyclospora outbreak, the largest of its kind in U.S. history, was linked by the FDA to iceberg lettuce processed at one of its facilities in central Mexico, CNBC reports.
One of the world’s largest producers of fresh-cut vegetables and salads, Taylor Farms supplies major retailers and restaurant chains, including Walmart, Kroger, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Chipotle. Its large-scale operations provide businesses with consistent, ready-to-use produce while reducing labor and preparation costs, but the company’s reach also means food safety problems can spread more widely through the supply chain.
Taylor Farms generated roughly $7.3 billion in sales last year and has expanded through numerous acquisitions and investments, strengthening its role in processing, packaging and distribution. The company says it spends more than $200 million annually on food safety and has voluntarily suspended iceberg lettuce sourcing and production from central Mexico while commissioning an independent review of its facility there.
However, experts warn that consolidation can make foodborne illness outbreaks more difficult to contain because so many businesses rely on the same suppliers. Taylor Farms has also previously been linked to food safety outbreaks, including a 2009 salmonella outbreak and a 2024 E. coli outbreak.
The situation has raised broader questions about food safety oversight as suppliers become larger and more influential. Critics have also raised concerns about Taylor Farms’ political contributions and lobbying, although the company denies seeking or receiving favorable regulatory treatment as a result.
