Taylor Farms, a significant supplier of lettuce and jalapeno peppers to American supermarkets and fast-food restaurants, is currently under scrutiny due to widespread foodborne illness outbreaks. The company has been linked to a large-scale cyclosporiasis outbreak and a separate salmonella recall, affecting consumers across numerous states.
The cyclosporiasis outbreak, described as an unprecedented wave of infections since May, has resulted in two deaths and cases reported in 47 states. While the largest cluster was traced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recalled iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms, experts note that not all clusters have been definitively linked to the same source.
In response to the cyclosporiasis concerns, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce products on July 17. However, the company stated that as of August 5, the FDA had not reported any confirmed positive sample results for Cyclospora in product testing. The FDA has advised Americans against consuming certain Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce products.
Adding to the health concerns, a salmonella recall involves Taylor Farms products sold at grocery stores including Walmart, Target, and Trader Joe's in 26 states, according to an FDA notice dated August 9.
Identifying the exact provenance of lettuce used in restaurant meals can be challenging for consumers. Taylor Farms is described on its website as the “leading global producer of salads and healthy fresh foods,” with facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. A 2026 profile in UC Berkeley Haas Magazine indicated the company has $7 billion in revenues, employs over 25,000 people, and operates 30 processing facilities.
The company partners with “every major retail group, club store, and quick-service restaurant chain in the country,” operating across retail, foodservice, and prepared foods sectors. Major retailers carrying Taylor Farms products include Walmart, Target, Safeway, Whole Foods, Meijer, Vons, Food4Less, H-E-B, Sprouts, Fry’s, Albertsons, and Kroger.
Regarding its foodservice clients, Taco Bell has been confirmed to serve Taylor Farms lettuce, particularly in light of the recent recall. Chipotle also confirmed on July 20 that it serves Taylor Farms produce. Laurie Schalow, chief corporate affairs and food safety officer at Chipotle, stated, “We are continuing to follow the Cyclospora investigation very closely, and at this time, we don’t believe the ingredients we source are associated.”
Historical reports from 2014 by Capital & Main and The Huffington Post indicated that chains such as McDonald’s, Subway, KFC, Long John Silver’s, and Pizza Hut, along with Darden Restaurants (which owns Olive Garden), have served Taylor Farms lettuce and other produce.
Taylor Farms officials attribute the volume of past recalls, some involving mislabeled products rather than pathogens, to the company's significant scale. Bruce Taylor, chief executive of Taylor Farms, told The Times, “Just if you do the sheer math, our recalls relative to our size are fewer than anybody else.”
Founded in 1995 by Bruce Taylor, a third-generation lettuce grower from California’s Salinas Valley, the company aimed to become “North America’s favorite producer of salads and healthy fresh foods.” Taylor Farms has since grown into a leading producer of salads and healthy fare.
The company has also been active in promoting food safety. Around 2007, Taylor partnered with the Produce Marketing Association to establish a Center for Produce Safety and worked with other growers to standardize industry food-safety practices. In 2009, Taylor Farms introduced “SmartWash Solutions,” a system designed to sanitize wash water and prevent microbial cross-contamination. In 2012, the company entered the supermarket industry with pre-packaged chopped salads. According to a 2026 report in Western Farm Press, Taylor Farms also revolutionized the industry by offering a fixed-price business model, guaranteeing profits for growers and a consistent supply for customers, fulfilling demands like McDonald’s for shredded lettuce at a stable price.
Right now, many consumers would like to know which ones.
Here, then, is a primer on Taylor Farms and its global reach.
