Publisher: Supermarket News
Published: October 9, 2026
Source: Read at Supermarket News (https://www.supermarketnews.com/food-safety/taylor-farms-won-t-take-lettuce-from-mexico-during-rainy-season)
Category: Food Access
Taylor Farms will not sell iceberg lettuce in the U.S. or Canada if workers processed or harvested it in Mexico between May 1 and Aug. 31, beginning in 2027. The company made the change after an FDA investigation linked a cyclospora outbreak to a wastewater tank and a drainage ditch used for lettuce cultivation, although the agency said it does not know exactly how the parasite contaminated the lettuce. Authorities believe up to 12,000 people became ill, and officials reported two deaths. Taylor Farms also plans more worker health monitoring, irrigation water and crop testing, and research on cyclospora detection and prevention.
Why this matters: Independent grocers and food-access programs that buy iceberg lettuce may need to review seasonal sourcing and food-safety checks for products from Mexico. The change could affect lettuce availability from May 1 through Aug. 31 beginning in 2027.
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