Sysco, the largest U.S. food distributor, has stopped buying iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms and Mexico amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S.

Investigation and Recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants, sourced from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico. Sysco CEO Kevin Hourican stated that the company is not buying iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms or Mexico and is working to diversify its procurement.

In mid-July, Sysco halted sales and distribution of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico, conducting a voluntary recall. Taylor Farms then notified Sysco of the official recall.

Impact and Response

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb noted that some large retailers and restaurants are avoiding produce from other growers in central Mexico due to concerns about broader contamination. Sysco is communicating with its customers about the situation and has changed the country and geography of origin for its iceberg lettuce procurement.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.