Walmart pulls lettuce linked to cyclospora outbreak

Key Points:

• Walmart has voluntarily removed certain Marketside Bagged Iceberg Salad and Shredded Iceberg Salads supplied by Taylor Farms from stores in 27 states due to a potential link to a cyclospora outbreak, although no illnesses have been confirmed from these products.
• The action follows Taco Bell's removal of all Taylor Farms lettuce after the CDC and FDA linked shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico to cyclospora infections in five states, with thousands of cases reported nationwide.
• Taylor Farms de Mexico has suspended processing and distribution of iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico and notified customers, while major distributors like Sysco have halted sales of the implicated lettuce at the supplier's request.
• The recalled lettuce was sold primarily to food service destinations and select Walmart stores across 27 states; customers are advised not to consume the products and may return them for a refund.
• Food safety advocates criticize the recall notices for lacking transparency about other affected retailers and restaurants, urging more detailed public information given the scale of the outbreak, which has sickened thousands and impacted restaurant traffic.