Taylor Farms Complained to White House Amid Cyclospora Outbreak, Source Says

U.S. produce supplier Taylor Farms complained to White House and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials about the government's investigation into a widespread cyclospora outbreak, a source familiar with the meeting told Reuters. The complaint comes as the outbreak, linked to the company's lettuce from Mexico, continues to expand, with Michigan reporting a significant spike in cases.

Company Under Scrutiny

Taylor Farms, a privately held company, is facing intense scrutiny over its role in the public health crisis. The company reportedly requested and held a meeting with White House and FDA officials earlier this month to voice concerns about the inspection process, according to the source. This development has drawn attention from lawmakers, with U.S. Representative Robert Garcia launching an inquiry into whether the company attempted to influence the FDA's response.

In a letter, Rep. Garcia noted that Taylor Farms "met privately with the White House the night the FDA identified their lettuce as the source of this outbreak." The White House has denied any compromise on public health, with a spokesman stating the FDA is conducting a "thorough and evidence-based outbreak investigation."

Taylor Farms has said it voluntarily suspended production at its facility in central Mexico and removed all potentially affected products from the market. However, a source familiar with the situation noted the company did not initially meet the FDA's established 24-hour timeframe for taking voluntary action after being presented with evidence. Taylor Farms did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Market Impact and Widening Scope

The outbreak is causing significant disruption in the produce market and growing consumer anxiety. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak has led to:

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• 4,173 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis.
• Over 7,400 additional suspected cases.

Michigan alone reported its case count reached 9,253 on Monday, an increase of 1,077 since its previous update. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb stated on CNBC that the true number of infections is likely 10 to 20 times greater than reported figures.

Gottlieb also warned that the contamination may not be limited to lettuce, with other produce like parsley and cilantro from central Mexico potentially linked to outbreak clusters. This has prompted some large retailers and restaurants to shun produce from the entire region, creating broader supply chain disruptions.

Investigation Continues

Health officials are still investigating the precise cause of the contamination. Gottlieb suggested a single event in central Mexico, such as flooding or a sewage breach, may have contaminated multiple fields. Mexican authorities reported last week that samples of water and lettuce from the Taylor Farms facility tested negative for the parasite and that its irrigation water came from certified wells.